Written and photographed by Katie Burke
Apple (Yixuan Zhao) is a fourth-year fashion design student who tries to empower others with her designs. This year, Apple is planning the concept for her senior thesis. She is creating a line of clothes that raises awareness for skin diseases such as eczema and is challenging traditional beauty standards with her garments.
Fashion has become armor for me to feel comfortable.
Apple, fourth-year fashion design student
“Growing up as a little girl with eczema, I would feel self-conscious about my skin,” Apple said. So many people suffer from skin diseases, Apple believes it should be made standard and beautiful. “I would feel self-conscious about my skin,” she said. “I remember seeing other kids feeling disgusted and even scared.” Apple wants to use her experience to create a collection of clothes for people to feel empowered while wearing the garments.
Her past garments are also a source of empowerment for the people wearing them. “Rising Sun” is a Coach coat recreation. “It focuses on the construction of the lining and the design of stripes to render a youthful look,” Apple said.
Her second piece, “Queen of Hearts,” is a top and trouser set inspired by the heart’s shape. “Curve style lines embrace the human body.”
Her last piece shown is called “Horror,” a “manipulation of two traditional jackets facing the opposite sides of the dress form; deconstruction to reconstruction,” Apple said.
Apple is going to be hard at work for the rest of the year creating her senior collection. Keep up on her art Instagram @applethehuman and her personal Instagram @appleleler.
