Skin of Identity

In July 2025, the Academy of Visual Arts presented Skin of Identity, a runway showcasing works created during the summer semester practice project, led by Andree Volkmann with the assistance of Olena Kostiuk.

The runway transcended the boundaries of fashion, using clothing to tell stories about our shared social realities and the fundamental events that shape our lives. It explored clothing as both a basic human need and a cultural signifier.

The project challenged participants to merge their own cultural heritage with that of others, culminating in the creation of a unique fashion line. The collection emerged from a methodical process that investigated the aesthetic and communicative power of textiles. Designers began by reflecting on their own culturally conditioned experiences with fabric and by deconstructing garments rooted in family histories. These fragments were then formalized and recomposed into a new vocabulary of shapes, materials, and forms.

The resulting prototypes are not merely garments, but tools for active participation and community building. This fashion line opens a conversation about global interconnectedness while honoring individual identity.