My collection is using performance art as a design method and process development tool to build a sustainable and upcycling collection, which is using second-hand garment deconstruction and reconstruction to create a story aboutimmigrants and their emotional journey.

My inspiration comes from Robert Frank’s photography series “The Americans”, and the current political conflicts about immigration. There are performance art pieces used as references for the emotional energy and outsider art pieces as an influence for the technique and texture I needed in the process making of the collection.

95% of all materials used are upcycled second-hand garments I sourced from different thrift shops around New York City. The only 5% is digitally printed and hand-woven letter fabric I used to represent the love immigrants have for their home countries.