NUYOU magazine cover art
2023 / paper art on Blythe doll / variable size
In November 2023, paper artist Ching Kai collaborated with NUYOU Magazine to create a cover featuring a doll clad in meticulously crafted paper art. Drawing inspiration from designer Paco Rabanne’s Spring/Summer 1976 collection, Ching Kai reimagined Mulan, the legendary Chinese heroine, with armor made entirely of paper. This fusion of avant-garde metal design and the traditional legend of Mulan brings a striking blend of fashion and history, with every detail — armour, phoenix-wings helmet, and accessories — handcrafted to evoke both strength and elegance.
Ching Kai’s paper armour melds the bold, futuristic aesthetic of Rabanne with Mulan’s warrior spirit, demonstrating the artist's skill in transforming paper into intricate forms. This collaboration bridges the world of high fashion and ancient legend, showing the versatility of paper as a medium capable of expressing both the grandeur of historical figures and the avant-garde innovation of fashion design.
Through this work, Ching Kai invites viewers to explore the symbolic depth of paper art. His interpretation of Mulan's armor is not only visually arresting but also a commentary on the intersection of art, fashion, and storytelling. By blending Rabanne’s iconic designs with Mulan’s narrative, Ching Kai showcases how paper art can transcend materials to capture both the physical and emotional weight of a story.
First appeared on the cover of NUYOU《女友》 November 2023 issue, Singapore Press Holdings, Singapore.