Yan Zhang (Kelly) is a fashion designer currently studying at Parsons School of Design. As a designer, she likes her work to form with distinct simple silhouettes, low-key color palettes, and delicate details. She’s very interested in doing detailed handcraft, such as embroidery, weaving, felting, and knitting, etc. The most important part of her design is connection–between the visual effects of the garments and her ideology as a designer; as well as between the person wearing the garment and their physical feeling.
When Yan is inspired by an idea, she uses 2D images to create a visual statement and set the mood of the project, then transfers the 2D impression into 3D elements, making small samples and draping on a dress form, in order to build complete design with the expression from the 2D process. Her inspiration can either come from material objects or abstract ideas. Each decision she made, each detail that presents on the design has a reason behind it that connects with the story. She’s introducing herself and her view of the world through her designs, and she wants the audience to understand the story from the work. She is influenced by her background of the eastern culture, obsessed with eastern elements and often incorporates them into her contemporary works. Works she made were all relating to her own experiences, emotions, and opinions. She believes the world is multifarious, and everything has its opposite side. She makes contrasts with materials, shapes, colors, textures, etc. Designing is a process of discovering the self, understanding the world, and communicating with others, everything she perceives from her past can be her inspiration for her future design.