Yi Nan Kang

Yi Nan Kang

Collection

Bio

YI NAN KANG approaches fashion as a form of storytelling, layering textures, colors, prints, and embellishments to express emotional narratives. Throughout her career, she's honed her skills on knitting, crochet, beading, felting, screen-printing, weaving, and other fabric manipulations. This thesis collection, sponsored by Swarovski and Solstiss Lace, embraces her point of view as a designer, highlights her commitment to craftsmanship, material exploration, and narrative-driven design.

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Image: The full lineup: including handmade shoes, head accessories, and bag.

In Translation

explores what it means to grow-up between two languages and two cultures, while navigating the line between belonging and unfamiliarity. Rooted in my experience as an American born Chinese designer, the collection examines how identity is shaped through translation and adaptation.

Childhood photographs taken by my father from family road-trips across American national parks became metaphors for the immigrant experience. Dressed by my mother in bright polka-dots, stripes, and florals, I never blended in with my surroundings, despite wanting to.

Layering colorful prints and embellishments like fragments of a language, This collection blends delicate hand-made textiles to create a world that lies in-between both cultures I grew up in, celebrating the power and beauty of standing out.

Image: Hand-painted embossed blue floral applique sewn with frayed silk chiffon backing.
Image: Hand-dyed long train skirt with screenprinted Chinese characters of my name in my parents' handwriting.
Image: Green ruffle sleeve top paired with a weave and screenprinted shorts. Lace printed fabric weaved together with silk taffeta strips to create an intricate weave with frayed edges.
Image: Hand-felted yellow polka dots on lace sandwiched between layers of tulle and silk chiffon. The voluminous skirt is made from gathered boning.
Image: Pink jacket with hand-painted floral motifs embellished with crystals from Swarovski. Hand-frayed silk taffeta strips hang from the back of the jacket.
Image: Hand-dyed lace from Solstiss with hand-felted polka dots. The top has sewn lace applique with a silk organza layer wrapped around the body.
Photo & Video: Hannah Zimmerman
Video Editor: Daniel Giles
Talent: Ming Ma, Tenny Zhang, Maya Fonteyn Lewis Makeup: Chloe Kirch
Hair: Gabby Dent
Assist: Molly Doyle, Diya Choudhary, Eva Zhang, Kevin Garcia