"Weaves of Resilience"
The Hakka Wai Tau (圍頭) culture in 1950s is a reflection of traditional patriarchal society. Under gender discrimination, women did not have the right to decide their marriage arrangements; they could only be obedient to their husbands and fathers. After arranged marriages, women took on the responsibilities of household management and farming to support the family, often facing pressure to give birth to sons and continue the family lineage.
In this context of limited autonomy and limited funds for quality clothing, women began to weave Wai Tau "patterned bands (花帶)" as a means of expressing their creativity and identity. These bands served practical purposes, such as ties for their sun hats (worn during farming) or as apron belts to decorate their simple outfits. Additionally, they were crafted as gifts to convey blessings. Recently, Wai Tau patterned bands have been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong.
Producer: @floretouch
Art direction: @lucy_yanlying , @wwk__
Photo: @many_images_house
Model: @kitwa (@bakemanagement )
Fashion Design: @tann._lu
Hair: @kawaihairs
Makeup: @chihei_makeup
Retouch: @floretouch , @many_images_house
Special Thanks to:
Ms. Leung Siu-ha (Aunt Lun, 麟娘) from Lung Yeuk Tau
Ms. Choi Ching-mui (蔡清妹) from Siu Lek Yuen Village
for generously lending their patterned bands.
#weavesofresilience #patternedbands #patternedband #fashion #photography #fashionphotography #花帶 #圍頭 #waitu #客家 #hakka #lungyuektau #hkculture #hongkong
"Weaves of Resilience"
The fashion design of this project utilizes black PVC material to accentuate the Wai Tau patterned bands (花帶) while reimagining the traditional sun hat (涼帽) as an accessory. PVC leather is fashioned into modular panels that reflect the vertical density of Wai Tau culture, featuring an embossed texture similar to rough walls. The corset silhouette merges strength with femininity, showcasing asymmetrical architecture, uneven boning lines, and diagonal lacing. The sun hat, designed with a lightweight bamboo frame woven in a circular pattern, is uniquely constructed with additional materials to further emphasize the aesthetics of Wai Tau culture.
Producer: @floretouch
Art direction: @lucy_yanlying , @wwk__
Photo: @many_images_house
Model: @kitwa (@bakemanagement )
Fashion Design: @tann._lu
Hair: @kawaihairs
Makeup: @chihei_makeup
Retouch: @floretouch , @many_images_house
Special Thanks to:
Ms. Leung Siu-ha (Aunt Lun, 麟娘) from Lung Yeuk Tau
Ms. Choi Ching-mui (蔡清妹) from Siu Lek Yuen Village
for generously lending their patterned bands.
#weavesofresilience #patternedbands #patternedband #fashion #photography #fashionphotography #花帶 #圍頭 #waitu #客家 #hakka #lungyuektau #hkculture #hongkong
"Weaves of Resilience"
This project aims to reflect the resilience and beauty of Wai Tau women as expressed through patterned bands (花帶), highlighting their strength in the face of adversity. The patterned bands represent another possibility against Hakka women's traditional black outfit. Despite the lack of agency experienced by women in the patriarchal Walled Village culture, these women maintained their kindness, optimism, and channeled all their unspoken emotions into these patterned bands, highlighting the strength and grace of the feminine spirit.
Producer: @floretouch
Art direction: @lucy_yanlying , @wwk__
Photo: @many_images_house
Model: @kitwa (@bakemanagement )
Fashion Design: @tann._lu
Hair: @kawaihairs
Makeup: @chihei_makeup
Retouch: @floretouch , @many_images_house
Special Thanks to:
Ms. Leung Siu-ha (Aunt Lun, 麟娘) from Lung Yeuk Tau
Ms. Choi Ching-mui (蔡清妹) from Siu Lek Yuen Village
for generously lending their patterned bands.
#weavesofresilience #patternedbands #patternedband #fashion #photography #fashionphotography #花帶 #圍頭 #waitu #客家 #hakka #lungyuektau #hkculture #hongkong
Pianist.
Visited 廖秋华, a famous patterned band heritage artisan in 龍南省. Fresh and new design perspectives to me and a new appreciation for the craft.
#patternedbands
✨️With a touch of sophistication, this fashion shoot captures the grace and beauty of ballet. It showcases flowing tulle skirts, delicate ballet flats, and soft pastel hues that evoke a sense of joy and movement. Each outfit tells a story of artistry and self-expression in an elegant and whimsical manner🍑
Photographer: @photo_puichung
Retouch: @carols_archive_@floretouch
Graphic Design: @carols_archive_
Art direction: @floretouch
Makeup: @floretouch
Model: @peachycoleee
Today I watched my grandma’s hands move with gentle skill, transforming colorful threads into a beautiful patterned band cloth—a gift made from tradition, love, and wisdom passed down through generations.
Patterned bands (花帶) are handwoven textile strips rich in meaning and history, traditionally crafted by women in Hong Kong’s walled villages such as Lung Yeuk Tau. Made using simple looms or even hand-manipulated techniques, these narrow bands feature distinctive motifs—like sesame flowers for fertility or olive pits wishing for male descendants—that reflect the hopes and everyday realities of rural life.
#圍頭花帶 #PatternedBand #FamilyTradition #傳承 #LungYeukTau #grandmagift
Florence’s childhood memory inspired her to undertake this project by using “patterned bands”. With Aunt Lun’s nimble fingers, she would transform simple fabrics into vibrant, patterned masterpieces, captivating the young Florence as she sat quietly, absorbing the timeless essence of this cultural tradition.
Florence's family lineage is deeply intertwined with the history of the Lung Yeuk Tau region in the New Territories. Her ancestors, the Tang Clan (鄧族), were among the earliest known Hakka settlers, tracing their roots back to the Song dynasty. In the late 19th century, Hakka and Punti communities in Guangdong constructed walled villages (Wai Tau) to defend against piracy. Aunt Lun often recounts, "Life was difficult back then, and we had no extra money to buy ornaments. So women would weave patterned bands as wedding gifts or use them as apron belts and sun hat bands." Patterned bands are intricately woven accessories created by Hakka and Wai Tau (圍頭) women. This weaving technique facilitated the emergence of precious accessories.
Now, at over 90 years of age, Aunt Lun's passion for this craft remains undiminished. In a world that is often quick to overlook the value of cultural traditions, this project preserves and celebrates the unique stories of our community. Through their artistry and storytelling, Florence and her collaborators have elevated the patterned bands from mere decorative accessories to powerful symbols of identity, strength, and self-determination.
