Li Hong Ji

Titled Polished Pressure, my graduation collection explores the psychological cost behind the image of modern success. Inspired by the increasingly common “all work, no play” culture, the project reflects on how high-performance environments can lead to emotional exhaustion, identity loss, and mental health struggles — especially among young professionals.

Drawing from visual and conceptual sources such as Pawel Jaszczuk’s photography and the film American Psycho, I investigated the contrast between surface perfection and internal collapse. Patrick Bateman’s character — immaculate in appearance yet emotionally fractured — became a symbolic figure for this duality.

The collection fuses traditional Chinese tailoring elements, such as Zhongshan suits and Qipao collars, with the sharp silhouettes of 1950s and 1980s Western power dressing. I employed a mix of structured forms, translucent layers, embroidery, and print techniques to reinforce the project’s themes. Feminine touches like cinched waists and open-back details disrupt the rigidity of conventional businesswear, reflecting vulnerability within control.

Through this body of work, I aim to critique the aesthetics of ambition and open a conversation about what lies beneath the surface — questioning whether we are dressing for success or hiding behind it.