I began this project after seeing parts of myself reflected in the single mothers I met—women who, like me, once felt invisible. For me, fashion had long been a language: a way to hide my insecurities by becoming who I wasn’t, until the disguise slowly became part of who I was. Through this realization, I wanted to transform clothing from a mask into a mirror.

 

I conducted personal interviews with single mothers to understand their stories, then translated their emotions into design sketches and garment diagrams. From selecting fabrics and cutting patterns to sewing and assembling each piece, every step was a process of listening and empathy.

 

The final collection—three bespoke narrative outfits—was showcased in a Single Mothers Center at Jeju Island, co-modeled by the mothers themselves. The project raised $880 for childcare grants and evolved into a monthly peer-sewing circle, turning design into an act of healing and solidarity.