Ketabchi Haghighat

Grey Sheep

Sanyket

Location

New York City / united states

University

fashion institute of technology

Graduation year

2023

Contact

I was born and raised in Iran, where I spent my formative years and developed a deep appreciation for art and culture. At the age of 12, my family and I made the life-changing decision to immigrate to Toronto, Canada in search of new opportunities and a better future.

The transition to a new country was both challenging and inspiring. It provided me with a fresh perspective on life and ignited my passion for fashion design. Motivated by my love for creativity and a desire to express myself through clothing, I pursued my dream by enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

During my time at FIT, I dedicated myself to honing my skills and knowledge in the field of fashion design. In May 2023, I proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design. Throughout my studies, I also pursued minors in Art History and Economics, as I believed these complementary subjects would provide me with a well-rounded understanding of the fashion industry.

Following graduation, I was fortunate to secure a work opportunity in New York City under my OPT visa. Working in the fashion capital of the world has been an invaluable experience, allowing me to immerse myself in a dynamic and vibrant industry while further developing my professional skills.

As my current OPT visa is valid until May 28th, 2024, I am eagerly exploring the possibilities that lie ahead. The future remains unknown, but I am ready to embrace new challenges and seize every opportunity that comes my way. I am open to discovering new avenues in the fashion world and expanding my horizons to contribute to the industry in a meaningful and creative way.

Throughout my journey, my diverse background and multicultural upbringing have shaped my perspective and enriched my designs. I draw inspiration from my Iranian heritage and combine it with my experiences in Canada and the United States, resulting in unique and culturally infused creations.

With an unwavering passion for fashion design, a solid educational foundation, and a drive to succeed, I am excited to embark on the next chapter of my career. I am committed to continuous growth, exploring innovative design techniques, and making a positive impact in the ever-evolving world of fashion.

Latest Collection

Memento mori

My design theme centers around the inevitability of death, inspired by Robert Greene's personal experience shared during his appearance on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty. After experiencing a stroke, first responders cut off the shirt he was wearing to save his life, which his wife later sewed back together. This experience sparked the idea of creating a collection that is not morbid or gloomy but rather, liberating. I believe it's essential to acknowledge the meaning of death in our culture. While we all understand that our time is limited, few of us have experienced a brush with mortality. The collection serves as a memento mori, which encourages individuals to embrace life and live it to the fullest.

I utilized organic elements on minimalistic silhouettes and designed garments that are memorable, so the wearer is reminded of their mortality. The Fall/Winter collection falls under the dressy sportswear category. Some of the silhouettes were inspired by the shapes of rotting fruits such as blueberries, which I recreated by incorporating velveteen and suede to capture the textures of nature. The hand-dyed fabrics were intentionally colored to resemble rotten fruits. In addition, I incorporated recognizable symbols like skulls and two wilted flowers made out of organza to reinforce the memento mori theme. These symbols have been significant for centuries and help to make the collection a powerful reminder of the inevitability of death.

Since September 16th, 2022, I have been greatly influenced by the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution taking place in Iran. As an Iranian native, this revolution has been an integral part of my daily life, and it naturally reflects in my graduating thesis collection, Memento Mori. I noticed many connections between the concept of Memento Mori and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, and I took it upon myself to create a collection that could spark conversations about this topic, bringing more awareness to this important humanitarian crisis. As someone who closely follows this movement, I have heard countless stories of civilians experiencing near-death experiences or being killed while fighting for their freedoms. One image that I can never forget is of a man's body riddled with pellet gun bullets. This became the inspiration for my first look, where I created tufting using pennies to represent the bullets. Additionally, I silk-screened "Woman, Life, Freedom" in Kurdish, the original slogan, on the lining of the modular cape. For my second look, I hand-dyed my undyed Supima cotton velveteen using blueberries to represent the bruises that brave men, women, and children in Iran are enduring in their fight for freedom.