Bridging fashion, Chinese calligraphy, Theatre: The Tao of Fashion Bridging fashion, Chinese calligraphy, Theatre: The Tao of Fashion Bridging fashion, Chinese calligraphy, Theatre: The Tao of Fashion

The Tao of Fashion is premised upon the Classical Chinese text 道德經 Tao Te Ching. Lao Tzu’s ancient wisdom of “Be like water” and “Three begets all things”, for example, propose a principle of fluidity and constancy that is put into play in The Tao of Fashion.

Fusing Chinese calligraphy, music, performance art, fashion, and technology on one stage, this interpretation of Tao Te Ching transcends the possibilities of each medium. 81 combinations of outfits based on the 81 chapters of Tao Te Ching were put forth by Hong Kong fashion designer Sing Lo, adopting tones of black, grey, and white, whilst experimenting with projection mapping on garments to orchestrate a harmony of light and clothes.

A new work from Z Innovation Lab, the performance incorporates motion capture technology to transforming the actors and actress onto the screen, creating a form of create “digital puppets”, bridging the virtual and the real. Projection and immersive audio are also adopted to visualize text from the Tao Te Ching, with Chinese calligraphy incorporated in the key visuals.

“Art needs to be watched to be understood,” Director Mathias Woo says. “The audience can get sensual satisfactory, or an impact towards the concept of fashion, or to think about our relationship with fashion.”