Science
& Style
Jinghan Zong ’ 19 creates cutting-edge designs based on her chemistry and biochemistry education at UC San Diego .
BY CYNTHIA DILLON
FASHION DESIGNERS FIND INSPIRATION in both the ordinary and extraordinary — anything from natural wonders and novel architecture , to world cultures and ancient traditions . Or in the case of one fashion-forward alumna — microscopic biological mechanisms .
Jinghan Zong ’ 19 became interested in art and design at UC San Diego while she was an undergraduate student in chemistry and biochemistry . Now she ’ s incorporating the biochemical processes she learned about into her fashion designs as a grad student — that means cutting amino acid patterns into cloth , using the folds of proteins to create the shape of sleeves , and creating heat-sensitive , color-changing materials . “ For most fashion designers , visually attractive elements are crucial ,” she says , “ but I also value mechanisms or theories that can inspire me conceptually .”
Biochemistry is the heart of Zong ’ s collection “ Behind Mechanisms ,” part of her graduate work at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia . The collection ended up far more experimental than the aspiring designer ever expected — things like protein beta sheets and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging led her to use novel shapes , complex ruffles , and other voluminous elements in her styles , all fitting in with the noteworthy trend of Maximalism in fashion . The collection ’ s highly saturated colors were even extracted from electrophoresis experiments and chemical compounds she synthesized in labs as an undergraduate .
Zong ’ s former professors are thrilled to see the influence of science in her work and the innovation it inspires . “ Enabling our undergraduates to explore their full potential is what makes being an educator and a scientist so unique and exciting ,” says her former chemistry professor , Francesco Paesani . “ It has been quite fascinating to follow Jinghan from being a freshman in Chem 6BH to becoming an outstanding biochemist and a talented and creative designer . I am really looking forward to attending her first fashion show .”
See more of Zong ’ s portfolio , including sketches and biochemical inspiration at : tritonmag . com / biofashion
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