For artist and designer Chocolate, the journey into fashion didn't begin on a runway, but with blueprints. Starting at the young age of thirteen, she dove into the technical world of pattern drafting, learning to create clothing based strictly on measurement data.
While her early years were defined by understanding how factories functioned and the mechanics of manufacturing, her university years marked a pivotal shift toward the digital realm.
During university, Chocolate discovered that the design process could be boundless. She began exploring 3D apparel as early as 2016, utilizing Visual Effects (VFX) software primarily meant for gaming and character development.
At the time, she was a pioneer among her peers—the only fashion student attempting to stitch garments in a digital space not optimised for cloth. Despite the friction of using software designed for rigid characters rather than fluid fabrics, this experience taught her how to craft in virtual reality, eventually leading her to CLO, the advanced 3D fashion platform she uses today.
In young adulthood, Chocolate’s influences took a cinematic turn. Inspired by the visual mastery of Wong Kar-wai, she developed a fascination with the Cantonese-styled cheongsam.
This interest led her to Master Yan, an 86-year-old tailor who would fundamentally shape her design philosophy. Master Yan imparted wisdom from a pre-industrial era, teaching her hand-sewn and hand-cut styles that contemporary technology simply cannot replicate. Today, Chocolate exists at a fascinating intersection: utilising cutting-edge digital tools while preserving the ancient, 'rule-breaking' wisdom of traditional tailoring...
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Want to see the rest of the collection?
From 3D-animated fur experiments to managing massive costume productions for K-11 Musea, Chocolate’s portfolio is a masterclass in blending the old world with the new. To read the full feature and see her work, check out EMERGENCE, the 1st volume of INTERLUNAR’s zine.
