Adiff founder Angela Luna is using fashion to combat global issues. The utilitarian collection, designed with the needs of Syrian refugees in mind, was started as part of Luna's senior thesis project at Parson's School. The pieces from the unisex line are equipped with functional features like reflective and weatherproof fabrics, and attached apparatuses made for transporting children. It's functional outerwear with pieces that serve as flotation devices, sleeping bags, or even tents. We chatted with the recent Parson's grad about the origin of Adiff and its future.
1. Was there a moment you can remember when this idea first originated?
My interest in the refugee crisis started around the same time Alan Kurdi was found on the shores of Greece. This image broke hearts around the world, and really caused to me to question my role on a global scale. Then I saw a news story of a journalist on board a smuggler's boat, as he crossed the Aegean Sea with many refugees on board. It wasn't long before the boat's motor broke down, and all the passengers were left stranded in the dark, trying to get attention from fishing boats not too far away. As I watched this video, I thought to myself that if these people were wearing entirely reflective clothing, it would really enhance their chances of being seen. It was this first idea that drove me to research other problems and identify designed solutions.
2. It has to be a challenge to make good looking clothes so functional. What is that creative process like?
This was actually one of the first things I needed to address. When I decided to focus on functionality and dual purpose, it was also clear that there needed to be great attention to aesthetics as well, as I was studying fashion, not engineering.
The next step was figuring out what I could do to help this crisis, and which problems could be addressed through design. Although I wish I could address all the problems I noticed, I had to select ones that could potentially be resolved throughout the course of my thesis. This was done through massive amounts of research from articles, image collection, videos, and interviews with humanitarian agencies. I did look into existing solutions or ideas other people had that related to these issues, but found they had very poor designs.
After identifying the problems came the incredibly difficult task of creating of the garments, which in a some cases involved making free-standing structures. Usually with fashion, you need to be sure it just stays on the body, but in my case it also had to stand up by itself, battling gravity. The design development took the longest of all and was mostly driven by trial and error testing, but in the end it was the most rewarding.
4. You're just finishing college and you're already an entrepreneur. How do you see Adiff growing over the next 5 years?
I see Adiff a global humanitarian brand that promotes awareness and giving back worldwide. The brand is starting out by donating purposeful clothing, but I see a future where we provide longer term solutions for these people. It's a major goal of mine to move operations to Europe and establish our own manufacturing facilities that employ resettled refugees who are in need of work. I would like to hire resettled refugees within business operations as well, whether it be in design, engineering, finance, planning, etc. I see a future where the brand offers scholarships, innovation grants, and community building activities, and also plays a role in resettlement. I hope the brand can not only make a difference within the fashion industry, but within the political and nonprofit world as well.
3. Why are you particularly passionate about the crisis in Syria?
It was easy for me to be drawn to the refugee crisis because the stories and images are so heartbreaking. I always wondered how some people could read about the crisis and then just carry on as if nothing had happened. In my case, the more I saw, the more I wanted to help. Since I didn't go to school for political science or humanitarian action, I had no choice but to use my skill set to offer what I could.
5. Is there a fashion entrepreneur you admire and aspire to be like? Why?
A good friend of mine, Lucy Jones, actually graduated a year before me was a major inspiration for this project. Her drive is to use design to create solutions for persons with disabilities. I greatly admired her design process and methodological approach. She's not only a great designer, she's an amazing person as well and made me feel that no issues is too large to tackle.