Year 3
Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design
At the heart of this collection is a desire to heal a child—my own inner child, someone I don’t fully know but whose unresolved emotions I continually face. As an adult, I often struggle to show myself kindness, carrying forward a lack of self-compassion rooted from childhood. This collection reflects my journey to nurture my inner child in order to find safety in adulthood.
As a child, I was lucky to live within a blissful world, sheltered from life’s more complex and challenging aspects. I existed in a safe, oblivious bubble created by those around me. But as I grew older, that bubble burst, replaced by a fragile construct of my own making. A bubble shaped by my anxiety and fear of early adulthood. This new bubble reflects the overwhelming pres- sures of growing up, but magnified by the demands of capital- ism. As capitalism’s influence grows, so does the expectation to conform, gradually eroding individuality and authenticity. The relentless push to meet societal standards feels confining, leav- ing me feeling disconnected from my true self. In many ways, I still feel like a child, feeling lost and weighed down by these burdens I’m not familiar with.
To counter this weight, my research embodies the exploration of my younger self by delving into the thoughts and experiences that have shaped my journey into adulthood. My research is rooted in understanding the emotions and negative beliefs that took root during childhood—beliefs that led me to suppress my feelings in order to cope. Beyond my research, this collection reflects a personal journey of self-reflection and self-nurture. It’s about reconnecting with the joy and wonder of my childhood by rediscovering what once brought me happiness, and embracing those moments anew. By bridging the gap between past and present, my designs work on fulfilling my childhood dreams of being a creative, free and content individual.
“Living in a Bubble” embodies the tension of being caught between two worlds—the yearning to return to a simpler, more innocent time and the necessity of moving forward as an adult. Through elements of fragility, nostalgia, and resilience, my work seeks to give voice to my inner child while embracing the com- plexities of adulthood. This journey is about reclaiming vulner- ability as a source of strength, finding self-compassion through the same gentleness and kindness I’d wish I’d given to myself as a child.
