Ingrid Yeung, fourth year design (fashion emphasis) and managerial economics double major, was honored at the 2021 James Fabric Cup Textile and Clothing Design Competition by winning the Bronze Award in the category “One for More.”  

Hosted by Han (汉）Nationality Costume Culture and Digital Heritage Laboratory, Jiangnan University and sponsored by James Textile Co. Ltd, an international textile manufacturer and trading company, this was the fifth year of the competition featuring a theme “Embrace the Unknown.”

Yeung’s work was among 700 entries for the competition which included two stages. First, she submitted for the preliminary round which included sending her design concept, mood board, inspiration, fashion illustrations, flats, and fabric swatches. Then for final consideration, she submitted a fully constructed collection.

Her three-piece collection, titled “书法 (Chinese Calligraphic)。Shufa” was inspired by Chinese calligraphy and modular design. Each piece builds off simple shapes and single units that can be joined and configured in infinite ways to create new looks, blurring the lines between office, sports, and leisure.

“I found out about this competition through Professor Adele Zhang, and it sounded like an amazing opportunity and challenge,” said Yeung. ”I felt inspired by the theme for this year, ‘Embrace the Unknown,’ and was excited to create something that spoke to me and the times we are living in. For my collection, I wanted to design something novel and unique, ultimately leading me to a modular collection inspired by Chinese calligraphy.” 

Originally from the Bay Area, Yeung also submitted in the competition’s “Play with the Trend” category. 

Zhang, continuing lecturer in design and the Jo Ann C. Stabb Design Collection curator and manager, stressed the importance of students participating in design competitions. 

“A design competition–especially an international one–opens opportunities for our students to expand their networks in the design profession and redefines the possibilities of design within the larger scope of a multicultural environment. As a Design faculty member, encouraging and mentoring our students in competitions provides them with valuable experience and enhances the value and visibility of education in Design here at UC Davis.”