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2018 - 2019
Collaboration with Ariana Nathani
A streetwear brand that exploits hype to spark discussions and action about current events.
BACKGROUND
Ariana and I initially became fascinated with the idea of hype because of how it drives our society to do, buy, see, and listen to things.
At the same time, we were feeling hopeless as various socio-political events unfolded. We decided to do something about it - and VAHLUE was born.


PROCESS
Each piece was designed based on events happening at the time. We started with a concept and sketched different iterations of design mockups until we had a design we were ready to create.
Each design was screen printed by hand on blank clothing in limited editions of 10 or 20, and was finished with a woven label, laser cut hang tag and a signed edition card.




THERE ARE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE
Shown here are some iterations for our piece in collaboration with a body of work by Alisha B Wormsley.
We chose a final design in a circle to represent the infinite truth of the statement.


Alisha posted a billboard with this statement in a gentrifying neighborhood in Pittsburgh and the landlord took it down.
We collaborated with Alisha and created a shirt that couldn't be taken away.
There are Black people in the future.
I TALKED TO MY THERAPIST ABOUT VOTING
Right before the midterm elections, I spoke to my therapist about voting.
These sweatpants represent the everyday impact that politics have on our lives and mental health.


SHUT
The government was shut down for 35 days in January 2019.
This shirt features a play on the logo of NASA, one of many government agencies that were closed for the duration of the shutdown, and 35 tally marks to represent the days we counted and waited for the government to reopen.
MARTYR
During the confirmation hearings approaching the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the supreme court, we were disappointed but not surprised. History seemed to repeat itself, as we were reminded of the confirmation of Clarence Thomas.
Only 2% of sexual harassment claims are false. We believe Christine Blasey Ford and Anita Hill.


DON'T SHOOT
October 27th 2018
It was quiet Saturday morning
until the flood of sirens filled the air. There was a shooting less than 10 minutes away from us at a synagogue up the street. This was nearly the 300th shooting in America in 2018. No one is safe.
We chose to print on high-visibility orange, traditionally worn to prevent accidental shootings.
2020 VISION
2020 was being celebrated as the anniversary of women's suffrage in America. This shirt aims to clarify that while white women received voting rights in 1920, there were many more women whose rights were not granted until much more recently.
Even to this day, many Americans remain disenfranchised due to gerrymandering, incarceration, and other factors disproportionately affecting certain groups of people.


DISPLAY
VAHLUE pieces were exhibited and sold at Civilization PGH, The Frame Gallery, and the Miller ICA.
Shown here is our iInstallation in the Miller ICA for the School of Art undergraduate thesis show.

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