Fashion designer Jessie Zhao is best known for her hand-drawn silk scarves that celebrate the beauty of nature, fine art, and fashion. Alisha Negron-Cruz, NMWA’s Museum Shop manager, spoke with Zhao about her practice, passion, and inspirations.
Shop Jessie Zhao scarves and homeware in NMWA’s Museum Shop.
Why did you pursue fashion design?
I originally studied graphic design and worked extensively on commercial illustrations. Over time, I realized that I wanted to bring my hand-drawn artwork to a broader audience in a more tangible way. This inspired me to create wearable art—turning my illustrations into fashion pieces that women can incorporate into their everyday lives. My goal is to empower women, helping them express their confidence and individuality through color and design.
From your perspective, how does fashion function in the art world?
Fashion operates as both a medium of artistic expression and a cultural statement. It bridges the gap between fine art and everyday life. For me, designing fashion is about translating my hand-drawn illustrations into pieces that women can wear confidently, using bold colors and patterns to encourage self-expression. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about how clothing can make people feel and how it shapes culture.
How do you know when a pattern is finished?
When it feels complete—when every color, shape, and detail serve a purpose, and nothing feels excessive or missing. I rely on intuition and balance, ensuring that the design tells a story without overwhelming the eye. Since my patterns are vibrant and intricate, I aim for harmony between complexity and wearability. I often step away and revisit a design later; if it still feels fresh and engaging, I know it’s ready.
You’ve said that your designs are inspired by the relationship between humans and the natural world. What significance does this relationship hold for you?
Nature is a boundless source of inspiration—its colors, patterns, and organic forms are at the core of my creative vision. I see fashion as a way to bring people closer to nature, reminding them of its beauty, power, and importance in our lives.
Beyond aesthetics, this connection holds deep meaning for me. In a fast-paced, digital world, I believe that embracing nature—whether through art, fashion, or daily life—can bring a sense of grounding and balance.
How do you maintain passion for your work?
I’m constantly exploring new inspirations and challenging myself creatively. I find excitement in pushing the boundaries of what wearable art can be. Seeing how my designs empower women, helping them express confidence and individuality, fuels my motivation every day.
Additionally, connecting with customers and hearing their stories about how my pieces make them feel keeps me deeply engaged in my work. Passion thrives when there’s a sense of purpose, and for me, that purpose is creating designs that inspire, uplift, and tell a story.
What five women artists inspire you?
Frida Kahlo—Her bold, surreal, and deeply personal artworks deserve equally expressive, colorful, and symbolic designs. I’d create garments infused with florals, folkloric elements, and embroidered storytelling.
Georgia O’Keeffe—Inspired by her soft yet powerful depictions of nature and abstract forms, I’d design flowing silhouettes with organic patterns, blending desert hues and floral motifs.
Yayoi Kusama—Known for her iconic polka dots and avant-garde vision, I’d craft pieces that play with bold repetition, textures, and oversized silhouettes, reflecting her unique artistic universe.
Hilma af Klint—As a pioneer of abstract art, her mystical and geometric compositions would translate beautifully into wearable art through structured yet fluid pieces with ethereal color gradients.
Lee Krasner—A force in Abstract Expressionism, her dynamic brushstrokes and layering techniques inspire designs with bold, free-flowing patterns that capture movement and energy.
Each of these women transformed art in their own way, and I’d love to create pieces that honor their legacies while making their artistic voices wearable.