"Reviv" Redefining Fashion Through Collectibility & Storytelling
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Part One: The Collection
In this project, I will explore the intersection of nerd culture and fashion, reimagining what a clothing brand can be in today’s evolving landscape. We live in an era where the "nerd dollar" holds immense power—geek culture is no longer a niche but a dominant force shaping the economy. The market adapts to those who spend, making nerds the tastemakers of modern culture.
Reviv represents an opportunity for me to merge my passions with my expertise, creating a brand that is both creatively fulfilling and professionally expansive. As I explore my place in the market after my studies, I wanted to build a passion project—one that allows me to dream, push creative boundaries, and develop a platform that enables me to work across multiple disciplines and truly flourish. With Reviv, I aim to challenge conventional ideas of what a clothing brand can be and redefine our relationship with fashion. By integrating storytelling with a rich, visual, and conceptual universe, I am building an interactive experience centered around a collectible card game. This game serves as the foundation of the brand, with each new drop introducing characters, artwork, and narratives that guide the design of the corresponding clothing collection. The collectible nature of the cards adds an additional layer of engagement: Common cards will be available for purchase in packs of 10. Special edition cards—laminated and integrated into the clothing’s hangtags—can only be obtained by purchasing garments. The rarest cards will be exclusive to in-person drops, marked with the date and location to emphasize their uniqueness. Through this approach, I want to replicate the excitement and collector’s value seen in the gaming world, where fashion items are not just products but coveted collectibles. Rather than prioritizing mass sales, these pieces are designed to build the brand’s identity and serve as a bridge to other output products like jewelry and cards. This framework also allows me to approach clothing design in a new way—emphasizing craftsmanship, traditional techniques, and one-of-a-kind pieces rather than purely commercial production. Reviv is more than just a brand; it’s an evolving creative ecosystem where storytelling, artistry, and collectibility intersect.
Part Two: Redefining Nerd Culture in Fashion
Designer and Magic: The Gathering enthusiast Joshua Blankenship references René Girard’s theory of mimetic desire, describing humans as social creatures who imitate one another. He argues that nerd culture has undergone a "trickle-down" effect, where its once-underground essence has become mainstream.
This shift has led some to gatekeep their communities, fearing that corporate influence dilutes their passion-driven hobbies. But is gatekeeping itself a culture? Many argue that traditional subcultures no longer exist. While distinct groups may not be as clearly defined as they once were, I believe the concept of subculture needs to be reexamined in the digital age. Journalist Yomi Adegoke states in Vogue that subculture is no longer countercultural—subculture is now culture. The internet has made subcultures fluid and accessible, removing geographical limitations. Similarly, fashion critic Alexander Fury describes modern subcultures as "a niche within a niche within a niche," forming an intricate web of microcultures that are difficult to track yet undeniably present. According to a study by Dazed magazine, 88% of young people believe subcultures still exist; however, instead of rigid identities, they now form an interconnected ecosystem of microcultures, allowing individuals to mix and match their influences. I find myself immersed in this microcultural landscape, aiming to reclaim the excitement of my hobbies. When passion-driven projects are replicated purely for profit, quality inevitably suffers. By drawing from nerd culture, I want to push subcultural creativity further—staying true to the elements that make these communities thrive: authenticity, immersive storytelling, and distinct aesthetics. Inspired by Magic: The Gathering, I have developed a figurative card game that serves as the foundation of the brand. This game establishes a compelling narrative, engaging potential customers while introducing them to the brand’s identity and products. I aim to explore the idea of clothing as collectibles, where each piece fosters a deeper emotional connection, much like treasured items in gaming and fandom culture.
Character Concepting
I have developed characters inspired by historical sources, reimagining them within the modern context of a game universe.
Drawing from Norse mythology, I explored various female figures, analyzing their defining traits and characteristics. Additionally, I researched different artistic periods of the Norse era and incorporated their visual language into the illustration style of these characters.
Before beginning the design process, I focused on constructing a rich visual and thematic universe to serve as a foundation for both the characters and the overall aesthetic. By establishing a clear creative framework, I defined the project's direction and ensured cohesion before designing the clothing itself. During the design phase, I approached each character individually, translating their unique traits into corresponding outfits. Once the character designs were established, I shifted my focus to the bigger picture—refining and assembling the pieces into a cohesive collection
Character Modeling
I collaborated with 3D artist Aria Jadidi, who took my illustrations and transformed them into 3D formats. He sculpted shapes directly over my sketches to create characters that closely resembled my original designs. From there, we discussed the direction for textures and other details.
Frø & Ulve
Asla
Hel
Ran
Frigg
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Introduction
The brown project explored my relationship with the color brown and its various associations. My initial connection to this color was with soil — the most natural and neutral element, yet essential to life.
I began by researching different definitions of brown and how it serves as a symbol in various contexts. I discovered that in the Bible, brown symbolizes the earth and is often associated with a monk's robe, representing humility and God’s connection to the ordinary and commonplace. As humans, we constantly attempt to separate ourselves from nature, but we have evolved to a point where we may struggle to recognize our origins. Modern humans often find themselves at odds with their natural state. To express this idea, I aimed to create an animalistic representation of the human form by removing the soul from the body, leaving only what connects us to nature — the physical construction of our bodies. Just like everything else in nature, we grow, simply exist, decay, and ultimately return to the soil
