Written by Becca Wolfe, Photos by Rachele Terranova and Becca Wolfe
Lin Jiang’s love of fashion has led him to his New York Fashion Week debut. Jiang, a senior fashion student, is from Shanghai, China and chose to come to SCAD to further his career as a fashion designer.
Lin Jiang working at Eckburg Hall (Rachele Terranova/scaddistrict.com). 
Lin Jiang in the studio (Rachele Terranova/scaddistrict.com).
At a young age, Jiang was introduced to elegant clothes by his mother. But for Jiang, pursuing a career in fashion was uncommon in his hometown. When students pursued a career in the arts, there was a stereotypical model they had to fall into because parents wanted their children to become doctors, teachers or government officials. “I really love fashion and I want to be a fashion designer to break the bias and stereotype,” Jiang said.
Jiang admires SCAD for introducing him to amazing fashion designers, photographers, filmmakers. “I am so lucky to work with some amazing people,” Jiang said. But he also believes that SCAD students need to be featured on larger platforms in order to help further their careers.
In an industry that is always changing, Jiang provides aspects of a different culture within his work and his personality. He feels inspired by items around him. “I also watched a lot of Japanese cartoons, like Sailor Moon, and Pokémon. I was influenced by their costume design,” Jiang said.
Jiang noted that he has really been mentored by his professor, Andrew Fionda. “My professor, Andrew Fionda, is very talented and warm-hearted. He helped me a lot. He is willing to share all he knows with me and help me to find my aesthetic based on fabric choices, colors and garment silhouette,” Jiang said.
However, one of Jiang’s biggest inspirations is his friend, Ming Xi. Xi is one of the most famous models in modern day China and has also appeared in four featured films. “My friend Ming Xi supports me, as always,” Jiang said. “Every time when I want to give up, she always uses her working experience to guide me and give confidence.”
Overall, Jiang is thankful for everyone that has played a part in his fashion journey. This journey includes the 2016 Best Knitwear prize in the International Mohair Fashion Design Competition and his work being showcased on WGSH.
Jiang designs women’s wear as well as couture clothing items. Jiang moved to American because he is fond of American designs and hopes to live in New York one day. When designing his garments, he focuses on a target audience from the ages of 25 to 32.
When designing, Jiang’s aims to explore the relationship between the movements of a woman and her clothing. Apart from being a fashion designer, Jiang also enjoys fashion illustration in traditional mediums and 3D illustration.
Jiang will be graduating this coming fall and is currently seeking out internships. He plans to move to New York to find work. Sometime in the future, Jiang hopes to design and dye his own fabrics instead of sewing garments.
