Meet HAIXI REN

Would you rather…

Whose face would you rather have on the back of your head Shia Lebouf, or Martha Stewart?

Martha Stewart

A self-portrait by HAIXI REN

Some questions with HAIXI REN

When is your favorite time of day to work?

My favorite time of day to work is 9am-12pm

What are your favorite galleries/museums in New York and why?

My favorite museums are Whitney museum and New Museum. I am constantly inspired by contemporary art and I am super sensitive to colors and textures. Whitney museum and new museum have the most advanced and unconventional exhibitions and they embrace diversity, including artists with all races, genders and ages.

How have you navigated the current fashion industry as a recent graduate?

I was lucky enough to land a couple freelance positions right after school. However, this year has been very difficult because everything was affected by COVID. I tried my best to showcase my thesis collection through online platforms and opportunities outside of school. Recently I debuted my collection at Spring Studios during NYFW.

Much of your work is centered on issues surrounding textile waste. What led you to using recycled swatches instead of fabric yardage?

I had the chance to reflect on the issue of textile waste during my internships and freelance jobs in the city. I found that textile waste exists in every fashion company due to the nature of pattern-making and difficulty of achieving accurate estimation of yardage before production. I want to solve this problem by inventing a new garment creating technique which doesn’t need patterns and raw materials like muslin and paper.

There has long been a conversation about the relationship between fashion and art. What movements or modes of thought have influenced your work?

My work is heavily influenced by the art movement Abstract Expressionism and its later creation. I was inspired by the journey of seeking “pure art”. My favorite artist is Joan Mitchell, her work is the perfect example of how a painting can be immersive and has the ability to resonate with people.

How do you hope the fashion industry will grow or change from the effects of the pandemic?

I hope the fashion industry can spend more time on creating rather than producing. During the pandemic, a lot of companies are forced to produce a smaller collection and convert the runway from onsite to online. I hope the fashion industry can reflect on how to move forward with smaller but more sophisticated collections. I hope all designers can regard fashion as a form of art, produce more pieces that their clients would cherish forever.

What keeps you excited and inspired lately?

I was obsessed with 90s teen movies recently because I adore the color theme and the preppy styles during that period. Moreover, I am curious about what the world is like before I was born. I am developing a collection which is partially influenced by the 90s preppy style.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Please check out my latest collection on my instagram.

HAIXI REN