Design for Difference by Angela Luna

Angela Luna, a 2016 alumna of the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons School of Design, embodies the school’s commitment to using design for social good. For her senior thesis at The New School, Luna designed a collection called “Design for Difference” comprised of multi-use garments for refugees. The collection received an enthusiastic response when she presented her pieces to the United Nations Global Compact Leaders Summit, and was named Womenswear Designer of the Year at the 2016 Parsons Benefit.

Luna was inspired to help Syrian refugees after watching a video of their perilous journey across the Aegean Sea to Europe. Even though she’s a fashion designer, Luna believed she could use her experience and expertise to address an urgent issue facing millions of people.

Design for Difference is made up of outerwear pieces that serve different functions for refugees: A jacket with a removable reflective harness that can transport small children; a long overcoat that transforms into a warm sleeping bag; a coat that can turn into a small tent. Luna, who plans on expanding the collection to serve more purposes, will be working with a distributor throughout the next year to bring the pieces to life.

Luna’s work is earning her much-deserved recognition. Forbes Magazine named her to their “30 Under 30: Art and Style” list for 2017 in recognition of her innovative designs.

Source: New School News