DON’T LOOK AT ME

AW 23/24

That boiling thought which invades your mind as you open your mouth to speak. Your heart begins to race, fingers trembling, palms sweating, and in an instant everything goes dark. Don’t look at me.

Social anxiety and stress disorders are far more common than we are often led to believe. Why do we feel such shame when it is such a shared human experience, to experience stress and anxiety? Though these disorders are often highly treatable, less than 40% of those suffering will seek treatment. This percentage drops drastically to 23.3% when we look at the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Population in the United States.

Ethnic Identity often becomes an afterthought growing up in a diverse United States. We are Americans, yet there are those who believe we do not belong. As children, we learn about ourselves through the words of others, forming our opinions and beliefs as we are molded by those around us. “Too Asian,” “Too White,” “Not Asian enough,” “Not White enough”- something in-between.

This collection aims to express the emotions associated with social anxiety and stress disorders in congruence with finding ones identity as an AAPI in the United States today. To take pride in our identities and our heritage, to embrace our anxieties instead of allowing them to control us- to step into the spotlight.

Don’t look at me.

See me.