Curating a vibrant, complicated image of Asia through garments

In Archipelago, an installation commissioned by X Museum to Carl Jan Cruz, a rising Filipino designer in the international fashion world, viewers are puzzled at a washing line overhead on which they can see an array of striped jersey piqué shirts that evoke the polos produced by French brand Lacoste. Calling his designs a visual autobiography, the London-educated designer is known for using locally manufactured jersey piqué, a breathable textile popular in his hometown's warm and humid climate.

What also makes Beijing viewers puzzled is Diaspora, Ma Homey, an installation comprising a vase of flowers, an embroidered bomber jacket, and a pair of sweat pants hanging on the wall. It's a creation by Troi Oi, an interdisciplinary project by Swedish-Vietnamese fashion designer Nhu Duong and German-Vietnamese artist Sung Tieu.