duopel
Camp Collage - ZAM BY ZSPIRA.L
Zian Lu and Mowa Lu, who came together with a vision of
combining modern printing techniques with luxury fabrics
to develop urban womenswear. ZAM’s themes range from
expressions of humanity, environment, and wildlife.
Their work focuses on traditional painting techniques
combined with modern graphic design.
modern bohemian artists. The historic nature of the building evokes a strong feeling of
mystery and age that has been embraced by the recent renovations. Mowa and Zian—the two
female designers behind the ZAM brand—work outside under a large white canopy
shading them from the rising sun. It feels exotic in a way, which is one of the best ways to
describe the ZAM girls and their work.
-
“ Three years ago I had this place
in my mind. I wanted to work
with other people so I could
exchange ideas and help others. ” -
“ We were thinking we could
collaborate and create a new
kind of vision for fabric design. ” -
“ For our material design we
hand-painted on canvas,
digitized this, and then added
added graphic elements to
create a pattern. ” -
“ Zian's work is very detailed and
organized. I'm the opposite.
She reminds me to take things
step by step. ” -
“ This collaboration gave us an
opportunity to experiment with
materials in a way we haven’t
been able to before. ” -
“ Since we both do print design,
and outdoor fashion is the trend
right now, we feel this type of
material is the future. ” -
“ Seeing as outdoor fashion is the
trend right now, we feel like
Duopel material, is the future. ” -
“ The design we created for this is
really one-of-a-kind and the
tent is magnificent. It really was
all about doing more. ” -
“ It’s good to make everything
comfortable and chill. That’s
how we get ourselves doing
more. ” -
“ We are so happy with the tent
we were able to create. The
colors from both inside and
outside of the tent are amazing. ”
Mowa and Zian both claim their design aesthetic is driven by their emotional personalities. They feel "touched and influenced" by the world around them and it’s clear they make a lot of effort to communicate this emotional quality in their work—simultaneously simple and sophisticated, wild and playful, futuristic and historic. Their unique specialization in print design is what brought them to the Doing More project. ZAM shares their view on fabric design, plans for the future and how they feel about Duopel.
Founder｜Mowa Lu (Left)
Q&A
The building we are in is very
interesting, is it very old?
Mowa - This was actually a very old apartment. It used
to be a total mess, and you would never come into a
horrible type of place like this. But it was fixed up very
well to create a something that’s super retro feeling
and filled with old Taiwanese things.
How do you feel about the results of this collaboration
with Duopel?
Zian - We are so happy with the final material and the tent that we were able to
create. The colors from both inside and outside of the tent are amazing. It’s very
cheerful and energetic and this really works for us and our brand.
What was the biggest challenge you both faced?
M - Sewing and measuring were very challenging because this material is very different
from what we normally work with. It took a lot of time and was difficult but we found
solutions and so it was a good learning experience for both of us.
Why the name ZAM?
M - ZAM represents our names, Ziam and Mowa.
What are you both trying to do with
your work?
M - Fabric is our canvas, and the print is our way to express our language. Both of us are emotional. We can be touched by everything we interact with and put this into our work. Zians work is very detailed and organized. I'm the opposite of that. I can come up with a lot of ideas, but she reminds me to calm down and be organzied and take things step by step.
What interested you in joining this project?
Z - Since we both do print design, and outdoor fashion is the trend right now, we feel like this type of material, Duopel, is the future. This type of collaboration gives us an opportunity to experiment with materials in a way we haven’t been able to before.
What’s your first impression of Duopel material?
Z - When I first heard of it I assumed it was a very experimental product, so maybe it would be difficult to use, but actually it’s quite mature. It’s been used in many types of products already, and is quite an advanced material.
How do you come up with ideas for your fabric designs?
Z - It can just happen, but the environment is really important. It’s good to make
everything comfortable and chill. Have music and a good smell. With some drinks as well,
you can get yourself into a time of searching and discovering ideas. That’s how we get
ourselves doing more.
Where do you find materials?
M - I like to travel so I go to a lot of museums and suburban places to take pictures and
discover little things. I love flea markets as well. I love to explore these markets in
different countries, especially in America, there is so much going on there, and so much
to discover.
Do you have any mentors or specific people who have
impacted your work?
M - I like to say Jackson Pollack is my mentor. I studied a lot of his history while I was in
school. He was very impulsive and crazy. I love the way he paints-like a dance on canvas-
and I want to do this in my work as well.
What would you like to do more of in the future?
Z - We’d both like to do more traveling. It helps us to express ourselves with other
people and improve communication.
What do you think the future of materials will be?
Z - In the future I feel that all materials will be 100% eco-friendly, and smart. I think if
we all use more eco-friendly materials like Duopel, then it would really help the environment.
Has this project inspired you in any way?
M - Absolutely. The project was very interesting and our overall experience was very
special and unforgettable. The design we created for this is really one-of-a-kind and
the tent is magnificent. It really was all about doing more, and that’s a good thing.
3 things people should be doing more:
- Expressing themselves more freely.
- Going out more.
- Getting to know themselves more.
