Heran (Ranita) Zhang
Fashion Designer & Fashion Researcher
Heran (Ranita) Zhang is a womenswear and childrenswear designer. She is currently a MA candidate in Communication, Culture and Technology program at the Georgetown University. She graduated as a Fashion Design major at the Fashion Institute of Technology with minors in Art History, Japanese, Asian Studies and Mathematics. She has a romantic and playful design aesthetic.
Personal Narrative
My name is Heran Zhang, a graduate student in the Communication, Culture, and Technology program at Georgetown University. My academic and professional voyage began in Fashion Design, where creativity met functionality. While studying fashion design, I was always on the lookout for disruptive technologies that could deeply impact the industry. The pivotal moment that led me to the CCT program came during a digital fashion project using CLO 3D, a 3D design software. This project opened a portal for me to discover the untapped realms of the metaverse and NFTs. Recognizing the potential of these innovative technologies, I was inspired to plunge into research on how they can spur revolutionary changes in the fashion industry. Alongside this, my commitment to accessible design, particularly adaptive clothing for people with disabilities, led me to intertwine the threads of fashion design, digital innovation, and inclusivity.
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The concept of “inclusion” has been driving my research. Bridging technology and accessibility, my current focus has crystallized around a compelling research question: "How can digital technology help fashion be more inclusive and accessible?" This inquiry is more than academic, it's a mission. It represents my passion to break barriers and redefine the fashion experience for individuals with diverse needs who are underserved. I am dedicated to achieving true inclusion in fashion: advocating designs that not only meet functionality and aesthetic needs but also are ethically and socially responsible. In pursuit of this mission, I've conceptualized a website proposal tailored for people with disabilities, utilizing digital technology to customize their entire fashion journey. This platform is about a personalized, dignified, and empowering experience, allowing people with disabilities to engage with fashion in ways they could never have imagined.
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As I look to the future, I envision a career that blends the roles of a UX designer who brings user-centered design to the forefront, a fashion designer with a technological edge, and a design researcher who consistently challenges the limits of what’s possible in fashion. My goal is to continue breaking new ground in making fashion accessible and creating emotionally resonant fashion experiences.
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As I forge ahead with my research and further develop my website proposal, I invite you to join me on this exciting venture. Follow my research process, engage with my ideas, and be a part of the movement that transforms fashion into an inclusive and technologically advanced domain.
Personal Video
