Ying Gao, laureate

The Phyllis Lambert Design Montréal Grant enabled Ying Gao to develop and produce a line of “modulatable” garments, conceptually and esthetically influenced by the cities of Berlin and Nagoya, especially their impressive transit systems. The resulting project included two pieces inspired by people’s mobility and contemporary technology: a scarf and dress that are functionally transformable into a dress and bag / projection screen, respectively, easily transportable and adaptable to one’s needs when travelling through transitional spaces. Ms. Gao collaborated with two Berlin-based designers as well as the Japanese industrial firm Amaike Textile Industry, inventor of the world’s lightest fabric, to create the items of clothing.

“As a fashion designer I was particularly surprised, and pleasantly so, to be awarded the Phyllis Lambert Design Montréal Grant, since my discipline isn’t always recognized within the design ‘family.’ So I viewed it as recognition for all those among my fashion design peers who have a broader vision of our craft. I used the grant to take a research trip to Japan and Germany, where I had some unforgettable meetings. After I returned, the Berlin-Nagoya project was born. It was shown in several exhibitions and received a lot of media coverage.”