Jon StojanZiyue Tang, the fashion artist, recently won a 2024 Silver Award in the New York Product Design Awards for her collection “Pack Morph.” This innovative clothing collection addresses the common dilemma faced by international students: how to travel back to their home country comfortably during long flights.
Photo credit: Ziyue Tang
“This series is inspired by the struggles that international students face when traveling back home. The 16-hour long flights can be very taxing because it is always uncomfortable to sleep on the plan. So I wanted to create clothes that are comfortable for travel,” Tang explained. She also conducted thorough market research on the usage of U-pillows to enhance her designs. Since many have voiced about the uncomfortableness while resting on a plane, Tang did some research on the ergonomic design inside the aircraft. One of the things that she found really interesting during the research was Kinesio. Kinesio is a specially designed tape. It was initially used by athletes to heal and support muscles.
Tang utilized silicone printing on knit fabrics to provide support and elasticity, making the clothing more functional and comfortable for travelers. “By printing silicone on knits, which are naturally elastic, the clothes can offer muscle support,” she noted. Additionally, she incorporated U-pillows into her designs, which can be transformed into neck pillows or back cushions.
The collection opens with a versatile cape called “Cape-N-Dress”. Designed for airplane comfort, it provides warmth and shields against spills – “Say goodbye to ruined snacks,” Tang says with a smile. Transform it further into a comfortable, close-fitting wrap for added warmth on long flights. This two-in-one garment ensures travelers to stay stylish throughout the journey, without sacrificing comfort. The second look called “Pants-N-Bag”, tackles temperature changes, featuring pockets for easy access to essentials during travel. This focus on practicality is a hallmark of the collection, acknowledging the reality of journeys from scorching destinations to chilly arrivals. You can see a clever zip mechanism that allows the lower legs to detach and transform into a convenient bag. This handy compartment is perfect for storing travel essentials like ID and headphones, keeping belongings secure and organized while onboard.
A detachable pouch in the third look offers convenient storage for small items, while the fourth outfit boasts a removable cushion that doubles as a collar or U-pillow. This Scarf-N-Pillow cleverly transforms into a comfortable U-shaped pillow with simple folds, offering the traveler essential neck support during long flights. The lightweight, supportive filling is made from polyester fiber, ensuring a restful journey for the traveler. The collection concludes with a final outfit featuring a cleverly designed U-pillow that deflates and transforms into a comfortable neck rest.
This amazing Pack Morph has won New York Product Design Awards 2024 Silver; it says “The Pack Morph Collection introduces a revolutionary, multi-functional travel kit for travelers who value both style and practicality. This collection is designed with breathable, fast-drying synthetics – that easily convert into different forms to meet the needs of long-haul travelers.” The awards is one of the most prestigious events in the design industry. Winning this award highlights Tang’s ability to merge practicality with stylish design in her “Pack Morph” collection.