The voices behind RISING’s choir costumes

The voices behind RISING’s choir costumes

RMIT Fashion and Design graduates Michelle Li and Yongbin (Bin) Zhang have designed the vibrant costumes lighting up The Wilds at RISING Festival 2022 in Melbourne.

Wearing Li’s costumes are the Night Chorus, a choir singing ‘80s and ‘90s hits while overlooking the Rinky Dink – RISING’s ice-skating rink at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl main stage. 

“Imagine ice skating through a musical time warp with the likes of Freddie Mercury, Whitney Houston and Kylie Minogue,” Li said.  

night chorus Image credit: Eugene Hyland

Li’s inspiration comes from Beat Zoderer’s work, Squaring the Circle.

“Square, Circle worked with a zero-waste design method and used two styles, a pattern entirely from a square and a circle cut out from a square.

“I wanted to harness that and create costumes that were otherworldly and futuristic.”

Zhang’s costumes, worn by The Siphonophores, embody the chaotic but mindful mindlessness of life in The Wilds.

Image credit: Eugene Hyland

“I also employed a zero-waste concept, using a full rectangular piece of fabric (both satin and tulle) and inserted elastic to help shape it for different body shapes,” Zhang said. 

“My inspiration came from the movement of jellyfish, and I chose fluoro colours to give brightness and light in the dark.”

RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles provided Li and Zhang the support, guidance, and facilities to help make their ideas a reality, something both alums are grateful for. 

“My lecturers introduced my work to the Creative Producer of RISING and having specialty machineries and access to studio space made the project possible,” Li said.

“I couldn’t have completed this project without the assistance of my lecturers and team within the tight 3-week timeframe,” Zhang said.

The Wilds at RISING runs from 1–19 June.

Story: Thomas Odell

08 June 2022

Share

08 June 2022

Share

  • fashion
  • Student experience
  • Arts and culture
Engage

Related News

Students at one of RMIT’s stalls at PAX.

RMIT shines at Melbourne International Games Week

Students, staff and alumni from the University's Bachelor of Design (Games) and Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity featured across a range of events at Melbourne International Games Week 2024.

diameter-thumbnail.jpg

Enabling circular economy practices in sustainable metal production

Researchers in the DIAMETER project will develop digital platforms focused on augmented sustainability and circularity of additive manufacturing and machining processes.

Photo of Dr Yassie Samie

Study calls for city fashion waste shakeup

With most donated clothes exported or thrown away, experts are calling for a shakeup of how we deal with the growing fashion waste issue.

news-aroma-intensity-1220px.jpg

Confinement may affect how we smell and feel about food

New research from RMIT University found confined and isolating environments changed the way people smelled and responded emotionally to certain food aromas.

Show more
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information