XIAOQING RONG

Designer biography:

Born and raised in Beijing, Xiaoqing Rong is an alumna of Pratt Institute where she earned a B.F.A. in Jewelry with a minor in Fashion in 2021. She is currently advancing her studies with an M.A. in Jewellery and Metal at the Royal College of Art. In her senior academic year, her work began to pivot towards the realms of untouchable emotions and self-acceptance, exploring the less tangible aspects of human experience. Her collection, "Rebuilding the Verification of Existence," delves into the intricate process of construction and deconstruction, capturing life’s subtle details and transmuting them into wearable objects. Rong's pieces embody a narrative where fleeting emotions like depression, anger, and anxiety are given permanence, with her articulation and reconciliation of these feelings forming an integral part of her artistic identity.

Collection concept:

Rebuilding the Verification of Existence records my progress from the solitude of the Covid pandemic towards self-acceptance. During the Covid pandemic, NYC and the world has slowed down a bit; everything moves slowly. This allowed me to look at my surroundings and see things I have never seen before. Every object in this collection has a trace of real life. They visualize the beauty and fragility of these so-called negative feelings. Life’s traces bring nostalgic feelings of having a connection with someone or something. The "self" in this collection includes not only me but also other people in similar situations. By touching these negative feelings, we ground ourselves in the world, assuring ourselves that we can exist in different ways to explore who we are and where we belong.

Xiaoqing Rong (China/UK)

XIAOQING RONG

Designer biography:

Collection concept: