As an aspiring Muslim fashion designer who wants to launch a brand centered on modest wear and inclusivity, sustainability is one of the areas I intend on incorporating in my mission. It is well known that the fashion industry has become one of the leading global causes of pollution and climate change. On the surface, this issue appears to be resolvable by resorting to slow fashion entirely, but it runs much deeper. In the fashion world, we can view individual brands as an ecosystem comprising four categories: creative ideation, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution. To uphold sustainability, I would make conscious efforts in all four aspects in my career, with creative ideation and material sourcing being paramount to sustainable design. Inspired by Dutch fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, I would innovate my brand by exploring materiality: taking existing materials and pushing them to invent new ideas and textures. I recently tried this by experimenting with bioplastics. As part of my sustainability course, we were tasked in groups to design a sustainable product for an ongoing issue. Our group invented the “Biobag”, a concert-venue-friendly bag that is fully degradable after use. We experimented with several recipes before creating one that is eco-friendly without compromising structure and design. While I don’t plan on releasing concert bags for my brand, I believe the experience of producing a functional bioplastic can continuously influence my work if given the right resources. The best way to test out materiality is researching traditional methods in other cultures, observing nature, and textile experimentation. For example, I would like to try converting recycled paper into a breathable fabric similar to modal. Modal fabric has become extremely popular within the Muslim community because it is a flowy, breathable, and lightweight fabric that can be used as a hijab. Made of cellulose wood pulp fibers, I believe there is a way to take recycled paper using a Japanese method, Momigami, and create the beginning of a recycled material similar to modal. Using sustainable manufacturing, I can carry out this ancient method on a larger scale by using clean energy resources to power local factories and labs, enabling zero-waste cutting technology such as projectors in place of paper patterns, and starting with on-demand production instead of producing mass batches. Combining thoughtful design and innovative manufacturing builds a strong story to market to customers. Reflecting on my recent project, my group was able to utilize our process and production to build an honest and charitable story for our mock brand. Through honest marketing, I can educate consumers on what sustainability means in today’s world, influencing them to make conscious choices about their spending habits. This can help me channel my brand to partner with organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance, FABSCRAP, or The Ocean Cleanup, building an ethos that consumers would feel inclined to support. I believe such efforts would provoke meaningful conversations around the sustainability crisis and drive us to lead a greener future. Website link to project: https://portfolio.newschool.edu/adnam443/2025/10/21/bio-plastic-concert-bags/

1. I found TXT in 2022. I was watching the Hybe Caterers show and noticed the energetic group during the dance competition. I thought they all seemed very fun and silly in a way that felt authentic, which is what led me to become a MOA. 2. I think one of the most important characteristics of a MOA is leading your life with honesty. In a few variety shows, TXT members have emphasized that their purpose is to bring people together today to achieve a better tomorrow. They manage to do that by being honest about their feelings, experiences, and identities through their music. By being honest with yourself, you live an authentic life that inevitably defines your goals, purpose, and ambitions. It creates relatability and trust, which can develop your connections with others around you, creating a community and building change that makes a better tomorrow. 3. My bias is Soobin. I think it is really admirable how he approaches his leadership of the team. It really feels like he keeps their best interests in mind. Additionally, I also think he is someone who is not only charismatic but also emotionally intelligent. I believe that kind of awareness is what makes him an amazing and admirable leader. 4. My ultimate bias is The8 from Seventeen! 5. Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock) is my favorite song from TXT. At first, I thought it was a song that had an upbeat message, given the energetic melody. But when I took a deeper look into the lyrics, I realized it meant something completely different. Unlike my first impression, the song is actually about the anxiety of not being enough or feeling empty despite achieving "success". This also explains the contrasting title, "Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock)." The medical condition of tinnitus is a direct metaphor for the anxiety that the artists experience. This invokes their feeling of emptiness, so much so that they would rather just be a lifeless rock. The lyrics are quite melancholic and dark. I found myself in awe when I thought about how they used the upbeat music as a way to replicate this outward image of success and fame that society views them as. But when you listen to the actual lyrics, it's like a whole new layer of dimension. Knowing the actual intent of the song made me very emotional. In my opinion, "Tinnitus" is definitely one of their masterpieces. 6. No, but I really want to go. Their stages look so cool!!! 7. "The Name Chapter: Temptation" (also the album "Tinnitus" came from) has to be my favorite album from TXT. The themes of transitioning from youth to adulthood feel very real to my own situation. I have found a lot of comfort in the lyrics, and knowing that other people feel the same way makes me feel less alone as I continue to face new challenges. I also LOVE the visual and narrative concepts in this album, the idea of a "Neverland" felt very fitting. The ethereal, infinite youth, and fairy-like universe they built in this album was an experience. 8. I am currently paying for school with a private education loan, federal loans, and any extra funds I earn from my part-time job. Additionally, I have two campus jobs next semester to help cover my loan payments, living, and material expenses. 9. This scholarship will help me cover the remaining cost of my attendance for the first semester, so that I can use my extra earnings towards the next semester's payment. 10. TXT's purpose of focusing on the current generation to build a positive future is what inspires me most because it motivates me to go beyond for my community. 11. I am currently studying Fashion Design with a minor in Fashion Business at Parsons. As a Muslim woman living in the West, I have always found it difficult to express my identity in a way that still respects my modest values. This is not a struggle solely faced by me, but by many others in my community. My goal is to use my education to build a brand that includes Muslim women in the fashion space, giving them a voice and representation.