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Tien Lin LEE

Tainan University of Technology

My name is Lee Tien Lin, and I am currently studying at Tainan University of Technology in Taiwan, majoring in fashion design. My design style focuses on emphasizing the beauty of the female form, while also experimenting with exaggerated silhouettes to explore bold visual expressions. For this competition, my work is titled Bound Grace, symbolizing the concept of restrained elegance. The inspiration came from witnessing ongoing issues such as sexual harassment, online abuse, and objectifying gazes. Many women are bravely speaking out, yet are often criticized as being too aggressive. This conflicting and frustrating reality became the emotional foundation of my design. Through the use of leather, metal studs, and various sizes of belts, I aim to express the strength and resilience that women demonstrate even under pressure and constraint. I hope to use this competition not only as a platform to share my perspective, but also as a valuable opportunity to grow, receive feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogue with designers from diverse backgrounds.

束縛的恩典

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Taiwan Region

The theme of this piece is Bound Grace, symbolizing the idea of restrained elegance. The inspiration came from the increasing visibility of issues such as sexual harassment, online abuse, and objectifying gazes. These problems are often overlooked, and silence brings no change. As more women bravely speak out, they are frequently criticized for being too outspoken or confrontational. This emotional tension—caught between courage and societal suppression—became the starting point of my design. The piece not only highlights the graceful curves of the female form but also uses a contrast of softness and sharpness to reflect the multifaceted nature of women. The exaggerated shoulder structure and metal studs represent the strength and sharpness women must embody to protect themselves in an unstable, challenging world. The sleeves and skirt, constructed from belts of varying sizes, symbolize the constraints and expectations society imposes on women. The soft texture of faux fur contrasts with the tight, rigid belts, visually expressing the tension between outward gentleness and internal pressure. Overall, the design captures the modern woman’s struggle to find balance amid contradiction—maintaining softness while resisting external pressures—and ultimately portrays a sense of resilience and complex inner strength.

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