A-R-N-A: A Fashion Odyssey of Self-Discovery
Photographed by Samuel Edwards
Forget the moody inspiration boards and endless sketching – Arna Inga, a 27-year-old Icelandic whirlwind at Central Saint Martins, currently studying Graduate Diploma in Fashion, dives straight into her soul for fashion magic. With electric blue hair that screams individuality (think Clementine from "Eternal Sunshine"), Arna's on a mission: to unravel the fascinating, messy tapestry of who she is.
Her collection, aptly titled "A-R-N-A" (derived from the Icelandic word for "eagle," a nod to her powerful baby cries), is a journey through the highs and lows of her life. It all starts with "who am I?" scribbled across her heart – a question that's been her constant companion.
From Shy Teen to Technicolor Dream
Childhood memories surface – vibrant face paints and playful clothes, a world of pure, unadulterated fun. But adolescence casts a shadow. Insecurity blossoms, morphing Arna into "the girl who didn't speak." Blurry-faced photos from her teen years speak volumes about her struggle. “I remember the years being confusing, I was not ready to become a woman,”she adds.
Suddenly, the world sexualizes her, a jarring shift that leaves her feeling like a beautiful shell with a hollow core. “I never wanted to go to school,” she confesses. Under the sexualised perception in the society, she got very focused on looks at an early age, “always having to look a certain way and be put together to impress people, since I thought I didn't have a personality worth getting to know," she says. Arna could not get rid of this feeling as she got older, “I got acceptance based on my looks, I used to get with guys only to seek acceptance, forming meaningless relationships that left me feeling empty. I have always thought I wanted to be seen,” she adds.
Seeking solace, Arna turns to clothes. They become her silent language, a way to project an identity, to be whoever she wants to be in that moment. “I always found that clothes were a way to communicate and express something without words,” she explains. Paper towel dresses for Barbies? Check. Stealing her mom's sewing machine to create wearable art? Absolutely. Fashion, for Arna, is a portal to a fantastical world, a welcome escape from the pressures of reality.
Burnout, Bliss, and the Power of "Me"
Fast forward to CSM. Project deadlines loom, and Arna, burnt out from a whirlwind of personal projects, craves a spark of joy. “I wanted this project to be more playful and enjoyable for me to be able to get through it,” she says. This collection becomes her playground, a place to experiment and rediscover the fun in fashion.
Gone are the moodboards – Arna dives straight into the well of her own experiences. Scraps of memories become the foundation for her designs. The playful child clutching face paints, the sporty teen in Adidas, and the woman she's becoming all find expression through fabric.
“I started drawing the letters of my name flat on calico in different sizes and draping them on my body. I created looks with all the letters combined and also singular,” Arna further explains. Imprints of playful makeup designs become vibrant prints, leaving a piece of Arna's past on the garments. The bold letters of her name, A-R-N-A, morph into patterns with 4 looks, each a unique facet of her identity. Shiny, glittery, eye-catching fabrics scream for attention, reflecting her newfound confidence.
This story is all about the growth of Arna: the little girl being playful with face paints and colourful clothes, the teenage girl wearing Adidas track suits, who was also a gymnast and a soccer player, and the one she has become now.
Lost and Found (and a Little Lost Again)
The journey, however, isn't without its detours. Burnout rears its head, and the initial concept gets a little fuzzy. “I think throughout the project I kind of lost the idea of the concept and didn't know what my project was about.” she says. The answer to "who is Arna?" remains elusive. "I'm always seeking something different," she admits, a touch of frustration lacing her voice.
But amidst the confusion, a new clarity emerges. She yearns for the comfort of loved ones, the grounding energy of her Icelandic home. The isolation of London has served its purpose – it's shown her what truly matters, “For now I just want to be around loved ones, in my home back in Iceland and be grounded and let whatever comes my way come,” she determines.
While the question of self may linger, Arna's discovered something far more valuable: self-acceptance. No longer seeking the validation of others, she embraces the kaleidoscope of possibilities that lie ahead – designer, artist, mother, explorer, friend – the world is her oyster. Arna Inga, with her captivating spirit and unwavering self-discovery quest, is a designer to watch.
