Yafei Li
Strength in Movement emerged from a process rooted in motion and memory. Inspired by Chinese American dancers of the 1920s—particularly trailblazers like Coby Yee, who redefined femininity by challenging the male gaze—this piece channels the tension between resilience and grace. Moved by the duality in Coby’s story, the student sought to capture her spirit through silhouette and form.
To begin, the student asked the model to dance in a toile, allowing her movements to guide the design. The choreography became a blueprint, tracing arcs and gestures that informed the garment’s structure. The first look is a grey wool coat dress, lined with blue silk organza. It features a semi-fitted bodice with an open back that detaches from the body. The back panels extend towards the front and fold over which creates a cape-like structure. Plastic boning, nylon tubes and millinery stripes help achieve mobility and a maintained volume.
