A reflection on identity

Basadung draws inspiration from the enduring traditions of the Li Basadung tribe in Hainan, where identity is etched—quite literally—onto the skin. Women of the tribe wear facial tattoos made of intricate geometric lines, echoing the feather patterns of the Hoopoe bird. These markings are more than adornment; they are rites of passage, symbols of resilience, and declarations of individuality.

This ready-to-wear collection translates those visual languages into a contemporary expression of selfhood. Through layered textile manipulation, laser-cut detailing, digital printing, and crystal embellishment, Basadung merges ancestral symbolism with future-forward techniques. Every line, texture, and silhouette echoes the duality of pain and beauty, tradition and evolution.

At its core, Basadung is a meditation on the face as the canvas of identity—a place where stories, heritage, and self-ownership converge. It invites wearers to confront who they are, embrace who they’ve been, and unapologetically inhabit their most authentic selves.

This collection was made possible with support from Swarovski.