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Puzzle-piece (Bag)

Wenwen Zhou

Profile picture of Wenwen Zhou

As a creative practitioner, I am deeply invested in the relationship between tradition and innovation. My practice revolves around exploring materials, techniques, and designs from various cultures, particularly those that are at risk of fading from modern life. I aim to reimagine these traditions within a contemporary context, giving them new relevance and a second life.

The core of my practice is grounded in my belief that design should be purposeful, sustainable, and inclusive. I value craftsmanship, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the importance of ethical production practices. By using natural, sustainable materials and supporting fair trade, I hope to create products that not only serve a practical function but also honor the artisans and communities behind them.

As a creative practitioner, I am deeply invested in the relationship between tradition and innova...

This series of bags are inspired by traditional Chinese horn bag used to store grains or tea leaves, or be put in a bucket for soymilk fileting. Its structure is made from a single square piece of fabric, folded and stitched without waste. The distinctive visual effect of the lines starts from a cross line at the bottom and continues upwards, reaching the two horns. The designer reimagined this concept, creating a bag that stands upright could be held like a bucket and offers both open and closed options for storage and transporting. 

The Fabric I used is a special fabric from China’s Dong Minority called *Liangbu* (shiny textile), which is their most iconic and favorite fabric. The entire production process is environmentally friendly, utilizing natural methods and avoiding harmful chemicals. Generally, this fabric in local production process is entirely handwoven. The reflective effect is achieved by application of egg white and intense hammering.

Final work

  • Green dyed with Rhamnus utilis
  • Indigo-dyed blue
  • This is a bag made from textile dyed green with Rhamnus utilis and patched with calico.
This is a bag made from textile dyed blue with Indigo and patched with calico.

Indigo Blue Travelling Bag

This is a bag made from shinny textile dyed blue with Indigo and patched with calico.

This is a bag made from textile dyed blue.

Indigo Blue Camera Bag

This is a bag made from shinny textile dyed blue. 

This is a bag made from textile dyed brown with tacca.

Tacca Brown Lunch Box Bag

This is a bag made from textile dyed brown with tacca.

Research and process

  • Source of inspiration and the process of calculating the length-to-width proportion and constructing it.
  • The Source of inspiration for this design is coming from a piece of cloth called “Baofu” in Chinese.
  • The inspiration comes from a piece of wrapping cloth called 'Baofu,' This series bases on what could be created from it.
I incorporated solid colors, color-blocking, and varying proportions to enrich the visual appeal of the overall design.

Sketching

I incorporated solid colors, color-blocking, and varying proportions to enrich the visual appeal of the overall design.

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Puzzle-piece (Bag)

This series of bags are inspired by traditional Chinese horn bag used to store grains or tea leaves, or be put in a bucket for soymilk fileting. Its structure is made from a single square piece of fabric, folded and stitched without waste. The distinctive visual effect of the ...

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