Anna Huang: thinking out of the dimensions

Anna Huang graduated from University of the Arts London, Chelsea College of Arts, BA Fashion and Textile Design in 2014. She went to Switzerland at the age of 18, studied at the world-famous University of the Arts Zurich. The multi-cultural background of her experience in Switzerland, England and China, reflects in her art and design work.

Anna’s graduation work 'Original' was well received and recommended by the University of the Arts London and London Arts Committee as one of the best work among MA and BA students. A set was bought by the famous British arts investor, fashion and jewellery collector Mr William Bollinger and exhibited at his private museum in London. Mr Bollinger is a major investor and donator to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

'Original' is inspired by Anna’s trip to Sanya, a seaside resort in China. She saw some traditional fishing villages, as well as huge construction sites and skyscrapers in the city. “I want to use this contrast as my concept, discussing the coexistence and conflict between the traditional and modern lifestyle,” Anna says. The special texture on the skirt and top is inspired by the fish drying on the net hanged outdoor, after being caught by the fishermen. In order to emphasise the theme, Anna chose two special composite material of highly contrasting colours, fused together, laser-cut and hand-sewn to make the skirt. The delicate shapes, like mini umbrellas or prawn dumplings on the sleeveless top, are made from TPU, with hand-dyed silk organza inside. Unlike most of her peers at Screen Print pathway, Anna preferred to experiment with unusual materials at Chelsea College’s Wood Room, Laser-cut Room and Ceramics Room, rather than staying at Print Room all the time.

After her graduation, Anna founded Anna Circle studio limited in Hong Kong in 2015. The first fashion collection she created for the brand is “Wander on the Water”, inspired by the splashing water and the instant change of dimensions in the space because of it. She tried to push the techniques used in “Original” further and perfect them.

Anna focuses on making handcrafted, high-end and bespoke leather goods now. “My leather design is actually based on the similar idea as my graduate collection while being more minimal and contemporary. Like my favourite artist Lucio Fontana, he breaks the two-dimensional form of art while staying in the traditional format. I also try to break the flat surface by adding another dimension on the existing two-dimensional form, making ‘pop-up space’. I’d like to find the balance between the space, object and material.”