Yueqi Qi SS21: A Tribute to Chinese Culture Beyond China
Guangzhou based designer, Yueqi Qi, has been steadily gaining popularity since her self-named brand’s debut. Since 2019, her work has been featured in multiple publications and appeared in music videos by FKA Twigs and Bjork. Qi’s romantic and vintage aesthetic comes from her interest in traditional Chinese culture, folktales, and history in response to the ever-increasing modernity in China. As a young creative, she uses her designs to highlight the richness of old Chinese aesthetics and culture to elevate Chinese craftsmanship on an international stage. With her Spring/Summer 2021 collection, Qi continues to push the boundaries of womenswear through her eye for vivacious fabrics and embroidery talents.
Yueqi Qi SS21 dress with the Chinese character for love beaded several times on the front. Image from @_yueqiqi on Instagram.
This season, Qi’s collection had the theme, “Au Revoir, Champs de Riz,” meaning “Goodbye Rice Fields.” Her collection tells the story of Chinese culture outside of China through focusing on a young woman who leaves rural China to begin a new life in Paris’ Chinatown. Her collection is an ode to women who had to leave their homes to go overseas for opportunities, and it celebrates the resilience of Chinese women and culture. This collection is reminiscent of the 90s, with the loose fitting silhouettes, sheer fabrics, and square-toed heels. Her eclectic blend of silhouettes, textures, fabrics, beading, and feather motifs is representative of the various ways Chinese culture is experienced globally. The vibrant colors and lantern-structured silhouettes were based on Paris’ Chinatown, one of Qi’s biggest inspirations this season.
Yueqi Qi SS21 lantern structured dress. Image from @_yueqiqi on Instagram.
Along with beads and feathers, Qi unexpectedly used ping pong balls in her collection. The balls are sewed into the hemlines of various garments, on the clothes, and even made up some accessories. Her use of ping pong balls definitely lend an interesting structure and visual for the collection as a whole. To me, I see the balls as relating to the memories and playfulness of a young girl who misses the activities from her home.
Yueqi Qi SS21, ping pong ball hems and bag. Image from @_yueqiqi on Instagram.
Overall, the effervescent printed fabrics, intricate beadwork, and unique silhouettes create an eye-catching and refreshing collection. Her visual telling of a coming-of-age story about an ambitious woman exploring how to define herself in two different cultures is something I, and many others, can appreciate and relate to.
Yueqi Qi SS21 crystal sandals. Image from @_yueqiqi on Instagram.
Yueqi Qi SS21 shift dress. The pattern of this fabric reminds me of the lights strung along the street in Chinatown. Image from @_yueqiqi on Instagram.
Nicole Tan