Finding the Beauty and the Why: A Q&A With Jingqiu Made’s Wing Wang
“Meet the Creator” was one of the Denim Talks seminars at the recent Kingpins China-Hangzhou, held May 23-24 at ADM More in Hangzhou. The Talk, held on the second day of the show, featured Chinese denim designer Wing Wang from the Jingqiu Made brand. He shared a very touching and emotional story about his experiences during the Covid lockdown in China that highlighted for the audience both the challenges he and his family faced at the time, but also the fact that creativity can come from anywhere and at any time. The story revolves around a football made of denim. We thought this story deserved a wider audience so we went back to talk with Wing about this and dig a little deeper.
Wing, during your talk, you told a very moving story about how you and your family lived in your design studio during the Covid lockdown. Why were you all in the studio and what challenges did that bring for you?
Honestly, it wasn’t something we planned. When the lockdown was suddenly announced, we didn’t have much time to think — we just happened to be at the studio, and we stayed. In a way, it chose us.
At first, everything felt uncertain. Our daily routines — work, school, home life — were completely thrown off. We didn’t know how long it would last, or if things would get worse. There was definitely anxiety in the air. But we were lucky in some ways. We had access to enough essentials, and we were safe. The real challenge was adapting to a new kind of life: working, learning, and living 24/7 in the same space. We had to let go of our usual structure and find a new rhythm — together.
On the stage you had a football made of denim and it sounded like it was a very special item to you. Why did you create it and why is it so special?
Yes, it’s a piece that’s very close to my heart. When we realized we’d be staying in the studio for a while, I tried to think of ways to make that experience a little lighter, especially for my daughter. She was only eight at the time, and I wanted to give her something fun to do within the small space we had.
Since most of our tools and materials were already in the studio — including lots of denim — I decided to make a soccer ball out of denim scraps. Every day, we’d set aside a small area to move and play. That denim ball became a little source of joy and normalcy. My daughter loved it. Even though the world outside was full of uncertainty, she looked forward to playing with it every day. To me, that ball represents more than just a craft project — it’s a symbol of how creativity and love can carry us through difficult times.
The denim ball had faded into a distinctive wear pattern with lots of variation in the indigo shades. How did it come to wear that way? How did you create the effects given you were locked down?
It might surprise you to hear that the ball wasn’t intentionally “designed” to look that way at all. I actually made it by repurposing two handmade denim hats I had in the studio. At first, all the fabrics were raw — no washing, no fading — just different shades of unprocessed blue.
But here’s the interesting part: because we played with it every day — kicking it around in our limited space — it started coming into contact with floors, elevators, and other surfaces that were being disinfected constantly. The disinfectant sprays used during that time had chemical properties similar to bleach. Combined with the constant friction of daily use, the denim began to fade and wear in these incredibly organic, layered patterns.
So the final look? It wasn’t planned. It was a natural collaboration between denim, movement, time — and the strange reality we were all living through. That’s part of why it means so much to me. It’s not just a soccer ball — it’s a physical memory of that moment in time, shaped by circumstance and use.
After the pandemic, has the experience with soccer ball influenced your thinking about other products you make?
Absolutely. That soccer ball reminded me that denim is much more than just a fabric for clothing — it’s a canvas for storytelling. During lockdown, we didn’t have access to fancy tools or new materials. But we did have denim. So we used it — not just to make garments, but to create something joyful, something playful, something that met a real need in that moment.
Since then, I’ve been more interested in pushing the boundaries of how denim can be used. On one hand, I want to keep creating garments that allow people to experience the beauty of denim as it ages — pieces that evolve with wear and become uniquely yours over time. On the other hand, I’m drawn to experimenting with non-apparel pieces, too — things like everyday objects or even art installations — because denim has the versatility and emotional depth to live far beyond fashion.
How has the experience of lockdown changed your design process?
Yes, it had a lasting impact. Being confined to the studio — with limited time, space, and resources — forced me to rethink everything. I had to work with what was already there. And in doing that, I learned something powerful: when you strip away all the excess, all the distractions, what really matters is the core of your idea. The why behind the design.
Now, I approach my work with a different mindset. I no longer feel the need to chase endless preparation or perfect conditions. Instead, I focus on refining the essence of an idea and letting the materials speak for themselves. That clarity has made my design process more intentional — and I think more meaningful, too.
