Eva Zhao is a New York-based fashion designer and a recent graduate from Parsons School of Design. Her work examines the beauty of functionality, with her most recent designs serving as shelters that can shield her from the insecurities she experiences in New York. 3D modelling plays a significant role in her designs, as she uses technology to exaggerate natural and man-made forms and manipulate them into an armor that protects the human body.

What is your background and how did you get to where you are now as a fashion designer?
I’m from China and I moved to New York City eight years ago. I loved playing with Barbie when I was a kid. That’s where I got the idea of styling her and making clothes for her.

What do you aim to express through your designs?
In most of my collection, I try to solve problems that we face in daily life. For example, my recent collection “safe suit” is inspired from the insecurity that I feel in New York City. The aim of this collection is to design garments that can protect us.

As a designer interested in 3D technologies, is it possible to create anything that you can imagine, 3D technology helps me a lot to create my fantasy.
The only restricted thing for me is that I only know the basic skills of 3d modeling. I hope to develop my skills in the future.

How have you integrated 3D technology into your Safe Suit collection? Which natural and manufactured forms did you take inspiration from?
I used to draw out the pattern, then I import it into rhino to combine them with my 3d fabric samples. I took inspiration from the water bear and lamprey. Water Bear can survive in water, fire, and even space. Lamprey has significant fangs. Water bear is tardigrade.

What is one material that you would really like to work with in your designs?
There are so many materials that I want to experiment with such as silicone, latex, foam, rubber. For my upcoming collection, i think it’s mainly silicone.

How do you characterize your brand? Are there principles that guide your designs?
My design focuses on function and aesthetics. I also want to make something new.

Your CSM Mini Project is made from second-hand clothes and bags. Is sustainability an important aspect of your design practice?
Sustainability is important and I think my project shows the phase one of sustainability. In the future, I will develop more sustainable products using sustainable thread, fabric, or packaging.

Discuss the use of sustainable materials and self-made objects in your upholstery project?
The self-made object is a coffee table book. I printed my design process along the edge of the coffee table. And the coffee table can be open and closed.

What are your thoughts on the oversupply and disposability of clothes today?
Oversupply happens often in fast fashion. And, there must be reasons why the fast fashion industry didn’t collapse. I think if clothes can’t sell out, the company can lower the price or shred them to make new fabric.

What was the design process for your Shelter Collection? Discuss the functionality of these designs?
The shelter collection aims to provide private space in a public setting. I explored clothes with extendable hood, clothes turn into tent, and the space provides room for a hat.

How do you see yourself as a designer in future work?
My first goal is to become a designer who makes money and good designs. A second goal is to solve problems or to elevate people’s life by clothes.

Your recent designs have been inspired by the insecurities you feel in New York. Is it difficult to overcome and express these feelings in your designs?
It’s not difficult to express because I did interviews with people around me and they felt the same.

Are there aspects of the fashion industry you would like to influence with your designs?
I want to challenge the gap between luxury brand and non-luxury brand.

Social Media.
Instagram: @eva___pilipala
Website: https://www.evazhao.com/

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Yenan Tu
Models: Darya O. Hop & Jewel Y
Interview + Tearsheets by Mia Fyson, Contributor & Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine