DunHuang Murals Inspired Dress and Cape

Burwood Girls High School

Alice Zhou


"This wearable textile art piece consisting of a blue dress and a black cape is designed to explore the cultural and historical significance of the Chinese DunHuang Murals."

Images of Work

"The main body of the garment is a light, shimmering blue satin fabric. Across the lower portion of this blue section, there is an abstract landscape pattern featuring layered, wavy shapes in shades of pink and lavender. This pattern has a watercolour or gradient effect. Overlapping and extending from the sides are panels of sheer black organza or chiffon. These sheer panels have a distressed or frayed edge at the bottom, creating an ethereal and somewhat deconstructed look. They are also embellished with abstract metallic silver and blue accents that resemble frozen branches or ice shards, adding a touch of sparkle and a cool, wintry feel. The overall aesthetic is a blend of delicate and dramatic, the flowing, sheer fabrics and serene landscape print evoke a sense of fantasy or ethereal beauty, while the black elements and distressed edges introduce a modern, edgy, and perhaps even slightly avant-garde quality. The colours are soft and pastel on the blue section, contrasting with the stark black and metallic accents, suggesting a duality between softness and strength, perhaps day and night."

"A close-up of a back yoke with intricate embroidery. The fabric has a subtle sheen, and the embroidery features two distinct designs. On the left shoulder, there is a stylised, abstract pattern in a light purple hue with a flowing, almost tribal aesthetic. On the right shoulder, there is an embroidery of stylised flames in shades of blue, ranging from light sky blue to deep electric blue, with hints of white. The flames are rendered with dynamic, pointed shapes, giving them a sense of movement and energy."

Select Student Folio Pages

The pages selected for each project reflect the individual students' interpretations of the syllabus guidelines for the MTP. Each student should develop their folio according to the guidelines, relating to their own individual project. This may result in a variety of presentation styles, numbers of sketches and/or experiments.