Fashion, at its core, is about storytelling, connecting human experiences, cultural histories, and personal identities through fabric and form. Emerging designer Runtan Du embodies this vision powerfully with his latest collection, “Undefined Deity.” A recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Du sees fashion not simply as clothing, but as a tool to explore complex, universal narratives of human existence.
Du’s creative approach began with his deep fascination with mythology. His collection, rooted in meticulous research, explores the fundamental questions that humans have always asked themselves: Who are we? Why are we here? What lies beyond our immediate reality? By examining myths from different cultures ,Greek, Hindu, Egyptian, Chinese, and Norse, he discovered recurring patterns, characters, and themes, all pointing to a shared human desire to understand life’s mysteries. Du describes this realization clearly:
“At first, I thought of them as stories unique to each culture. But as I kept researching, I started seeing all these patterns: similar characters and similar themes. It made me realize that mythology is really about a shared human need to understand the world. That shift helped me connect them not as isolated stories, but as reflections of something deeper and more universal.”
Inspired by the fictional civilization known as the Isu from the Assassin’s Creed video game series, an ancient, technologically advanced culture said to have influenced global mythologies, Du envisioned a unified mythological world where cultural narratives intertwine and evolve together. Rather than directly replicating these myths, he carefully integrated their shared symbolic meanings into garments that feel sacred yet entirely original.
Central to Du’s design philosophy is maintaining respect for the cultural symbols he references. He meticulously avoided superficial or reductive interpretations, instead focusing on universal themes like creation, transformation, and the search for meaning. His garments echo historical significance without appropriating the original myths, carefully balancing authenticity with creative innovation. Du explains his approach:
“I didn’t want to just mix things up for aesthetics. I spent time understanding the meaning behind the symbols and stories. Instead of copying exact visuals, I focused on shared themes like creation, transformation, and duality. It was about finding a respectful balance between honoring the source and building a new narrative.”
His collection stands out through its detailed craftsmanship and considered choice of materials. Du utilized natural fibers, wool, cotton, and silk, to evoke the sense of primitive craftsmanship associated with the origins of myths themselves. Horn buttons, chosen for their natural textures and organic qualities, reinforce the historical depth, becoming symbolic connectors throughout the collection. He also crafted a custom pair of leather boots featuring metal elements digitally sculpted and cast using traditional methods, further blurring the lines between past traditions and modern design.
Du’s commitment to refined craftsmanship ensures his imaginative concepts remain believable and grounded. Each garment, carefully constructed with clean finishes, communicates clarity and intentionality, essential qualities for his storytelling to resonate fully.
One particularly striking example from the collection is a garment from Look Three, which became a significant turning point for Du. Initially, the clustered horn buttons served as decorative elements, but they unexpectedly evoked the symbolism of stars or constellations, reinforcing the collection’s storytelling potential through subtle details.
“When I was working on Look 3, I started placing a bunch of horn buttons on the shoulder. At first, it was just a detail, but then I realized it looked like stars or markings. It felt symbolic, like a constellation. That moment made me rethink how even small materials could carry deeper meaning.”
Layering and repetition also play a critical role in Du’s garments, symbolizing how myths evolve through retelling. Each layered garment mirrors the complexity of identity and history, continually shifting and transforming in appearance and interpretation. His designs offer viewers an experience of narrative depth and multiplicity.
As Du looks ahead beyond his MFA studies, he sees “Undefined Deity” not just as a finished collection, but as the beginning of broader creative explorations. His plans extend beyond fashion into collaborative storytelling experiences, immersive installations, and visual narratives that transcend traditional fashion boundaries. Du expresses excitement about expanding his practice through his studio, run tan du, into interdisciplinary projects such as art direction, experiential design, and editorial storytelling.
Ultimately, Runtan Du’s collection invites the audience to experience fashion not merely as wearable art, but as an immersive narrative experience. Through “Undefined Deity,” Du demonstrates his unique ability to blend rigorous research, thoughtful craftsmanship, and expansive imagination, creating garments that tell universal stories about humanity itself.
