Scarlett Chhim is a first-generation Cambodian transgender artist and fashion designer whose inspiration began with origami for her first collection Fold Fold and transformed into a bold, imaginative design philosophy. A student at Minneapolis College’s Apparel program, Scarlett blends technical skill with emotional depth, using fashion to explore pareidolia—the art of finding meaning in the mundane. Her debut collection, Fold Fold, draws from her childhood experience with ADD and the therapeutic structure of folding paper, proving that creativity thrives in stillness. Scarlett’s work has graced the cover of Lavender Magazine and the stages of Minneapolis drag, where she’s known for creating pieces that honor identity, transformation, and pride. With plans to pursue a BFA in Fashion and a career in alterations, Scarlett is a rising voice in contemporary design—one that reminds us art is everywhere, and it’s deeply personal.
Scarlett's first collection, Fold Fold, is a deeply personal exploration of structure and form, inspired by her experience with ADD. Diagnosed in primary school, Scarlett turned to origami as a calming and meditative practice, using it to destigmatize her wandering mind and manage overstimulation. Fold Fold draws from the concept of pareidolia—the tendency to see recognizable shapes in ordinary objects—encouraging viewers to reimagine the material world through vivid, imaginative lenses. Scarlett uses color throughout the collection to express its playful, whimsical, and feminine spirit, adding emotional depth and visual curiosity to the structural designs. For her, creativity is a slow and intimate process that challenges the fast-paced, trend-driven nature of capitalist production. Her work sits at the intersection of contemporary art and fashion, reflecting her belief that art is not confined to galleries but exists to offer purpose, insight, and resistance—especially in turbulent times.