WUYONG
Mixmind Art & Design · China
WUYONG is a Chinese haute couture label founded in 2006 by designer Ma Ke and produced at her workshop in Zhuhai. Its name means "useless", and it is known for hand spun, hand woven and naturally dyed garments rooted in traditional Chinese craft.
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Designer | Ma Ke |
| Workshop | Zhuhai, Guangdong |
| Sister label | EXCEPTION de Mixmind |
| Paris couture | Guest member, 2008 |
| Website | mixmind.com |
What is WUYONG?
WUYONG, meaning useless, is a haute couture line created in 2006 by Chinese designer Ma Ke, who also founded the ready-to-wear label EXCEPTION de Mixmind through her Guangzhou-based company Mixmind Art & Design. The pieces are made at her workshop in Zhuhai, Guangdong.
Craft and philosophy
Production is carried out in-house, from spinning and weaving to dyeing and sewing, often on traditional equipment such as a 19th century Chinese loom. The label draws on traditional dyeing, weaving and embroidery, notably those of the Dong people of southern China, and some pieces reuse found materials such as old tarpaulin. Ma Ke is often described as anti-fashion for her unconventional shows and anti-consumerist stance.
History
- 2007: WUYONG/the Earth presented at Paris Fashion Week, with models standing still on illuminated plinths
- 2007: subject of Jia Zhangke's documentary Useless, which won a prize at the Venice Film Festival
- 2008: appointed a Guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and staged WUYONG/Qing Pin at the Jardin du Palais-Royal
- 2008: show reprised at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London
Why it matters
WUYONG was one of the first Chinese labels to show couture in Paris, and it remains a reference point for slow, craft-led and sustainable design.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded WUYONG?
WUYONG was founded in 2006 by Chinese designer Ma Ke, who also created the label EXCEPTION de Mixmind.
What does WUYONG mean?
WUYONG means "useless" in Chinese, a name that reflects Ma Ke's critique of consumerism.