After the Anthropocene by Angel Pan
In the shadow of a rapidly shifting world, where the Anthropocene epoch inches toward its denouement, one question looms large: What will remain of humanity when we are no longer here? Angel Pan, a Chinese-Canadian fashion designer and recent Parsons School of Fashion graduate, tackles these profound questions in her thesis collection, “After the Anthropocene; Artificial Nature.” Through her innovative designs, Pan navigates the uneasy terrain between human legacy and the natural world, crafting a poignant narrative that speaks to the socio-economic, biological, and technological complexities that define our era.
Angel Pan’s work is deeply rooted in the discourse surrounding the Anthropocene—a term that marks the current geological age, characterized by significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems. Yet, she envisions a world where humans themselves have vanished, leaving behind only the traces of their existence.
Her collection is not just a reflection on what has been, but a speculative meditation on what might be left behind—a world where nature reclaims its dominion, albeit one permanently altered by human hands.
The designs in “After the Anthropocene; Artificial Nature” are a testament to Pan’s exploration of human-induced changes to the earth. These alterations are not just physical; they are psychological, delving into the psyche behind humanity’s relentless quest to dominate nature.
Pan’s garments are organic in silhouette, yet they pulse with an artificiality born from human intervention. Soft knits and wooly textures contrast with mechanical patterns and padded forms that evoke a sense of mutation—a visual language that speaks to the coexistence of the organic and the synthetic, the natural and the artificial.
In this post-human world, Pan asks: What does it mean to wear the remnants of our own existence? The answer lies in her materials and methods. Her collection incorporates 80% deadstock—an intentional choice that underscores her commitment to sustainability. By using deadstock, Pan gives new life to what would otherwise be waste, symbolizing the cyclical nature of existence and the potential for renewal even after decay.
The materiality of her designs is as varied as it is evocative, utilizing 3D printing, yarn knits, jersey knits, plants, recycled mattress foam, fur, and shibori dye. Each element is meticulously chosen to reflect the tension between human creativity and environmental responsibility.
This collection is not just about fashion; it is an immersive experience of anxiety, a visceral manifestation of Pan’s philosophy as we teeter on the brink of environmental catastrophe. The garments provoke a sense of unease, challenging the wearer to confront the reality of our impact on the planet.
The padded forms and mutated silhouettes suggest a world where nature has been irrevocably altered, where the line between the natural and the artificial has blurred to the point of indistinction. It is a world that is at once familiar and alien, beautiful and terrifying.
All images courtesy of Angel Pan, shared with permission
Angel Pan website: www.angelpanstudio.info
