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Follow the path to a greener future.
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EDITOR'S LETTER THERE IS BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITY Dress in 'green' ROCK THIS MASK TYPOHOLIC A TO Z SOMeTHING NEW, SOMETHING OLD. 5
A few years back, I went to a green wedding. It was fresh, new and chic. It was the best wedding I had ever seen. Love, is something really important in our life. We can’t live without love as love gives us courage and strength. Love your parents? Your friends? Your boyfriend girlfriend? How about your city, the environment you live?
Dear all,
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Chloe Law
This is the point of Red Thread magazine–to better connect everyone and the environment. To make sure that you’re aware of all the fantastic things going on in Hong Kong, don’t miss any chances to get updated about our green news. I hope you enjoy the magazine and use it to discover someone or something new in your life. Enjoy!
Red Thread, every Asian knows it is a love story about god links a couple together if they are true love. To me, Red Thread is a linkage, between you and me, between human and environment. This magazine is all about “green” with contemporary and creative ideas. Won’t be bored. I promise! It gives you something new and fun about the eco issue.
RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
illustration & design / Photograhy / Article: chloe law
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
colour your world
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working mode
RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
happy hour
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falling leaves
RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
vegetarian 15
brainstorming
RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
spring look
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
model: thang phan & sharon tan / photography & styling: chloe Law / paper accessories: chloe law
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
Okaie, the original concept is derived from ancient Chinese mythology- the romantic story of Chinese Cupid, Yue Lao, is the intermediary of every marriage on earth. He is the guy who practices matchmaking through the use of red thread. (This may not sound convincing or make much sense, but neither does the Greek mythology.) A divine tool that performs miraculous seduction with a heavenly impact on the designated spouses. Hmm, now you may hesitate to carry on reading, thinking this is getting too fairytale, or simply you are just not the type of girl who believes in rainbows and butterflies. But patience is required for the sake of your happy ending, so go on, keep reading! Red thread also symbolizes the fate of every earthily couple, as a transmission to link the two minds subtly and delicately. Therefore, with the invisible red thread, they can search each other ultimately. Most importantly, a potent witness for the unbreakable love; a ceaseless vow for the ongoi ng relationship. To think outside the box, the Chinese motif would be rejuvenated by both the stylish, dynamic and modern new look of the collection. The fulfillment of social responsibility is no exception; the design would be produced through a range of environmental design specifications, including use of recyclable, reusable materials and the digital prints to raise awareness of animals extinction.
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
Under the Chinese Green Wedding collection, there are ranges of presentations for the concept. As mentioned earlier, they are made of recycled and reusable materials, such as newspaper. They can be divided into three categories: Almanac, Red envelope, and the Shark fashion. An almanac? Some of you may be confused by this word. Actually it is the Chinese lunar calendar. I t st i l l re m a i n s p o p u l a r w i t h most of the families in ethnic Chinese; as a divine book to look up and foresee fortune, including detailed indication of important d a t e s a n d C h i n e s e fe s t i v a l s .
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
The Light bulb time Almanac is therefore transformed into fashion accessories to bring up paring flower banquets, bracelets and brooches for both the bride and groom at their wedding. As you can see from the demonstration, the Chinese theme is continually reinforced by the humble and Chinese calligraphy print on
the wedding accessories outwardly. On the other hand, the modern and stylish concept is re-addressed by the young dynamic couple, dressed as they are with westernized wedding dress and suite. In the photographs, they are jumping and looking cheerful together. Alone with the connection of red thread, it implements the agenda successfully.
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
model: vivien ng / photography & styling: chloe law / red envelope dress design: chloe law 31
RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
I am pretty sure you have all heard of the lucky red, but just a little uncertain as to what exactly it is or what it means. To make it simple, you can learn that from our design concept, as it is named, the theme colour of the Red envelope is red, it contains iconic meanings of Chinese fortune, passion, alongside evoking female seduction. As you can see from the photographs, the unconventional wedding dresses are made of Red pockets; a traditional Chinese gift to the young generation from elderly
during the lunar year; a symbolic meaning of fortune and blessings. As for the styles, the cuttings have an exotic taste on their appearance, such as the foxy cut-up top for bust and sheer covered skirt, have modernized them with both western and the Chinese motifs. Another exemplary would be the coquettish low- highball gown, an elegant translation of new modern Chinese wedding dress with the drapery dragon tailed; a Basque design with a closely fitted bodice and extended below the waistline.
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
O N s n i F rk
a h S
model: sharon tan / photography & styling: chloe law / shark head design: chloe law
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
S o w h a t d o yo u h av e i n m i n d ? Wo u l d you agree that the design concept has significantly reinvented the general perception o f C h i n e s e c u l t u re ? T h at wo u l d b e yo u r freewill to decide. But one thing is sure, your oriental wedding will definitely blow the mind of your guests. How exciting is that?
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RED THREAD / GREEN WEDDING
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
photography: chloe law / location: newcastle upon tyne / mask design: chloe law 47
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
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The inspiration is derived from the traditional Chinese dramas, which have been a prominent art form since the Yuan dynasty. It was popular with officials and aristocrats in the royal court; it functioned as family entertainment or social occasion in public. The masks themselves were extravagantly made, and the user needed to apply beautiful make-up to match the elaborate costumes and beautifully staged design in the performances. In addition, the various colours on the Chinese masks actually represent different traits of each playing role: 1. Red used on masks indicates a positive character. Red can also signify prosperity, loyalty, courage and heroism. Red shows intelligence and bravery. 2. Purple is sometimes used as a substitute for red. In its own right, purple can represent justice and sophistication. 3 . B l a c k m e a n s t h at t h e c h a ra c te r i s n e u t ra l . Black also indicates impartiality and integrity.
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
4. Blue faces are also an indication of n e u t r a l i t y. I n a d d i t i o n , b l u e c a n s h o w stubbornness, astuteness and fierceness. 5. Green shows that the character is violent, impulsive and lacks restraint. 6 . Ye l l o w t e l l s t h e a u d i e n c e t h a t t h e c h a r a c t e r i s c r u e l . Ye l l o w c a n a l s o m e a n e v i l , h y p o c r i t i c a l , a m b i t i o u s o r s l y. 7. White faces indicate that the character is evil and hypocritical. 8. Gold and silver show the audience that the character is a god or a demon. The character also may be a ghost or a s p i r i t . G o l d a n d s i l v e r sy m b o l i ze my ste r y. (Culture China- Folk Handcrafts 2013)
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Thus, in the photographs, different people are wearing different types of Chinese masks in various of locations. They represent the beauty of Chinese tradition which is worth being preserved; this also can be done in another cultural context, just as these talented, young dynamic and retro people are in England, wearing these Chinese masks. It is a very refreshing and interesting experience for both themselves and the observers; together they make striking photographs.
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
Besides the historical context, the idea of a mask is rather personal and expressive a social phenomenon; a dogma of not being yourself genuinely but rather disguised as your real behavior compromises for what is being appreciated in the society. By no means should we not receiving education or not learn knowledge and morality? It is the question that we seem to live for society rather than ourselves. For instance, a good life means looking good and having good, a general
perception of whoever is materialistically affluent than the others then is a successful of life. Is that really what you want? Have you ever felt the same way that you are working relentlessly for something that is not important to you at all? And no, it has nothing to do with your passion, and yes, “I do that because everyone thinks it is a good job and merely following a step that is simply what my mummy and daddy told me.� We seem no more than a product of society.
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
Sorry to sound dramatic, regardless of the passive elements in the concept, I am afraid that there may be some fact in it. You can either mock or agree with this idea, however I am here to express what I truly believe, because I believe that we should at least have the power to decide and express our own thoughts, well and genuinely. We may not always have freewill, but we can voice out our opinion. Just as I am doing now, expressing to you my feelings about this pretentious society through the platform of this artistic expression, though my work of “Chinese opera mask�.
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
hong kong culture alphabet designed by chloe law
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
Photography: chloe law / Location: hong kong
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RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
old building- Wing Lee Street
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hong kong nightview- shot from lion rock
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
hong kong dayview- kowloon
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ffiishing vessel- victoria harbour
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
ffiishing vessels- tai o
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antique- hollywood road in hong kong island
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
antique- hollywood road in hong kong island
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man mo temple- Sheung Wan
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
man mo temple- Sheung Wan
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duck and egg mixed with ginger and onion noodles- Hoi On Cafe
RED THREAD / cULTURE preservation
Hoi On Cafe- Sheung Wan
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men age mo it r e h hose keep t
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