I’ve been into fashion design since college, and it quickly became more than just a hobby — it’s how I process the world and express myself.
I’m drawn to clothes that tell stories, especially ones about identity, queerness, and the way we can represent them. As a lesbian, I think a lot about visibility and self-expression, and I want that to show up in my work. I like playing with structure, contrast, and details that feel a bit unexpected. I’m inspired by feelings or personal experiences, but I always want my designs to feel honest and intentional.
During my time in this university, I’ve focused on getting better technically and figuring out what I really want to say through my work. It’s been a mix of trial, error, and growth — but I’m proud of where I’ve landed.
Fungi is my final graduate collection and a personal exploration of genderless fashion through the lens of queer ecology. I was inspired by how mushrooms grow — quietly, collectively, and in-between things — and how that mirrors queer existence. The collection looks at ideas of transformation, softness, and fluidity, both in nature and in people.
I drew a lot from 1980s Yohji Yamamoto, especially the way his silhouettes break away from the body and create space. I wanted the clothes to feel like they don’t belong to any one gender, but instead respond to movement, mood, and the body in a more open way. The “princess pleats” I used are a reference to mushrooms—with the structure and organic movement to them.
Fungi is also about comfort and protection. The pieces are layered and oversized, but there’s detail and structure if you look closer. Like mushrooms, they’re soft on the surface but built to survive.