Tea ceremonies are almost exclusively associated with weddings in Vietnamese culture. Serving tea to the parents of the bride and groom is a tradition, which is followed by worlds of wisdom from each recipient.Β
Identifying as a 1st generation Vietnamese American who is also queer, such rituals have always seemed remote to me, even inaccessible at times. Constantly treading the water between my Vietnamese and American identity has led to the development of objects which belong to the realm of Vietfuturism. This costume embodies the transformative and healing abilities I associate with tea. It is inspired by the Ao Dai, a traditional Vietnamese garment, and allows the wearer to mask their identity beneath the bamboo hat. Every moment activates the free hanging strings, mirroring the act of steeping tea, allowing the wearer to fall into a deeper trance.