Xinran (Vivi) Fan, Unlocking the Self, 2026

Unlocking the Self explores identity as something continuously formed through fragments, memory, and time. Inspired by the idea of afterwardness, the collection reflects how meaning often emerges only in retrospect. The key serves as a central metaphor, representing moments and emotions that may seem insignificant at first but later gain significance. Through repetition, transparency, and material contrast, fragments shift from surface decoration to structural elements. Techniques such as knitting, silkscreen, and 3D printing transform garments into carriers of memory. Rather than resolving identity, the collection embraces incompleteness, suggesting that the self is not fixed, but gradually unfolds through connection, accumulation, and reflection.

2026 Pratt Fashion Show

This work was part of the 2026 Pratt Fashion Show. Watch a recording of the show to see this and more work by BFA Fashion Design students.