Dezeen Magazine

RCA Fashion 2013 collection by Xiao Li

Plump pastel silicone garments moulded from knitwear feature in this collection by Royal College of Art graduate Xiao Li.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

The marshmallow-coloured range features silhouettes exaggerated with puffed-up skirts and sleeves that billow from midway down the upper arm.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

"Traditional knitwear is more soft and shapeless," Li told Dezeen. "I wanted to find out a new way to present knitwear and was influenced by Modern architecture and 60s Balenciaga."

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

The voluminous pieces are made from spacer fabric, which combines two layers of textiles connected by filaments and holds its shape while still appearing lightweight.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

Li used her own knitting samples to create moulds to produced patterned silicone material used entirely for a jacket and skirt, and as hems or accessories for genuine knitted items. "I wanted to make sure my collection is innovative but still wearable," she said.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

She swapped the fluorescent colours of her earlier work for more muted shades, affiliating lilac, peach, mint green and pale yellow.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

"All the materials came in white and I dyed them by myself to match the colour," said Li.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

Her collection was shown at the Royal College of Art fashion show last week, where Maiko Takeda presented headdresses covered in hundreds of colourful bristles.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

At the Westminster graduate fashion show Philli Wood revealed giant cable knit patterns printed onto oversized outerwear.

RCA Fashion Show 2013 Xiao Li

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