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Bethy Yuhan Niu

Bethy Yuhan Niu

Glasgow, UK
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE Glasgow School of Art
Course Still, the water murmurs
SPECIALISMS Womenswear,Knitwear,Garment Technology

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k.gray@gsa.ac.uk

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This project explores the idea that water, though fluid and transient, continues to leave traces and memory within the environment. Even as it recedes, the riverbed and surrounding terrain retain the paths it once carved, becoming a quiet record of time. Through the combination of knit and structured materials, the work translates the movement, erosion, and residue of water into garment form. Research began with observing streams and reflective surfaces, where shifting light and rhythmic movement were documented and developed into textile experiments. Techniques such as plating, irregular pleating, and the use of contrasting yarns allow the fabric to remain soft while holding structural integrity. The silhouettes negotiate a balance between flow and control. Double-faced wool captures and holds the trajectory of water, echoing the stability of land and riverbeds, while knitted elements respond dynamically to the body, shifting form through movement and wear. Rather than representing water directly, the collection focuses on what remains. It considers how traces persist, how memory is carried, and how material can hold these subtle imprints. The garments exist between softness and structure, forming a state of continuous transition. The project also reflects a long-term approach to sustainability, seeking a more reciprocal relationship between material and environment, where resources are taken with awareness and returned through processes that respect natural cycles.

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