XING-ZHI LI

Soft Boundaries explores the internal and external states that emerge through human relationships, using the cactus as a symbol to observe how fullness and scarcity, sharpness and softness coexist across different environments and forms. The spines on a cactus serve both as protection and as a boundary that maintains distance from the outside world, reflecting the subtle and ever-changing balance between defensiveness and intimacy in human relationships.

The collection primarily employs SHIMA SEIKI computerized knitting technology, incorporating jacquard, multi-knit techniques, label threads, and yarn to translate the spines and surface textures of cacti. Some garments construct their silhouettes directly through fully fashioned knitting, while others are assembled by cutting and constructing knitted fabric. In this way, soft materials are placed alongside structural forms. The use of label threads and yarn adds surface layers and tactile qualities, creating visual tension reminiscent of cactus spines.

The silhouettes are inspired by the diverse forms and growth patterns of cacti. Geometric elements such as hexagons, polygons, and circles are combined, cut, and layered to create dynamic garment structures. The color palette focuses on green, blue, yellow, and pink, drawn from the variations found across different cactus species and stages of growth. Through the interplay of geometry, color, and material, sharpness and softness are placed side by side, reflecting the human desire for closeness while still needing to maintain a certain distance.