Valeria Schipschi
she/her
Dyeing to Be
My final-year project, 'Dyeing to Be' explores themes like self-expression, cultural identity, and personal transformation through a genderless high-end Fall/Winter fashion collection, consisting of various weaves and knits. The title is a simple play of words. It emphasises the act of dyeing yarn and my ongoing journey towards self-acceptance.
This collection is a direct reflection to my personal experiences growing up feeling 'othered'- criticised for my curly hair, my appearance and anything that made me stand out through fashion and makeup. I learned to embrace what once made me feel different, and this massively impacted this body of work.
Ultimately, Dyeing to Be is about the transformation of the yarn into fabric and my own metamorphosis into the real me through fashion and acceptance. My collection is a hopeful gesture towards a future where self expression is free from societal norms and rigid boundaries.
Research