2025–present
Graduate study in Apparel Design
Cornell University, Ithaca
Department of Human Centered Design · Advisor: Fatma Baytar
summer han
A little about me
Who’s behind
this little world?
September 2026, near Keuka Lake.
A weekend with three friends hanging out at the vineyard near Keuka Lake. Emma took this photo while I was leaning on the bar, looking out at the lake and letting my mind wander.
Designer · researcher · maker
Hi, I’m
Summer Han.
I’m Summer Han Wu, a designer and researcher working across fashion, printed textiles and interactive experiences. I’m pursuing graduate study in Apparel Design at Cornell University, in the Department of Human Centered Design.
Working across fashion, objects, and interactive experiences, I explore how materials and technology shape what we use, feel, and imagine: from physical comfort and playful interactions to how we envision life with machines.
Through experimentation and hands-on making, I give ideas form while leaving room for different needs, interpretations, and ways of living.
From an idea to a form
Ways I work.
- Apparel Design & Construction
- Draping, Patternmaking, Garment construction, CLO 3D
- 3D Modeling & Computational Design
- Rhino, Grasshopper, nTopology, Blender, Cinema 4D
- Digital Fabrication & Prototyping
- Additive manufacturing, GrabCAD Print, 3D scanning
- Materials Testing
- Instron mechanical testing, Airflow testing, Fabric bending testing (SiroFAST)
- Visual Communication & Storytelling
- Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Video production & editing (Premiere Pro)
Languages Mandarin Chinese, English
Learning, through making
Education.
2021–2023
MFA, Fashion, Body and Garment
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago
2017–2021
BA, Visual Communication Design
Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
Minor in Marketing
Summer studies
2019 Course study
Fashion Design
University of the Arts London, London
Summer study abroad · July 2019
2018 Course study
Hong Kong Contemporary Art
Lingnan University of Hong Kong
Summer exchange · August 2018
Iceland, circa December 2022. Photograph by Summer Han.
Teaching.
Jan–May 2026
Teaching Assistant
Cornell University · FSAD 1220: Fashion Drawing
Supported lesson planning and classroom instruction, taught selected topics, and provided critique and individual guidance.
Sep–Dec 2025
Course Support
Cornell University · FSAD 4660: Textiles, Apparel, and Innovation
Assisted with Canvas course management and provided course support.
Jul 2022
Teaching Assistant
School of the Art Institute of Chicago · Summer Program: Fashion Design
Supported classroom instruction, demonstrated techniques, and worked with students individually.
A few ways ideas have taken form
Selected projects.
Current threadsMaternity Supportwear Thesis · 2026–presentInterviews exploring abdominal and back support needs during pregnancy, comfort, and experiences with existing supportwear.Three Magic Mirrors Interaction proposal · 2026
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Luminous IrisMaterials & Objects
Completed object2026
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The Dream GardenBody & Wear
Collection2023
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The Soft ArmorMaterials & Objects
Material studyUndated
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Da Tang Still ExistsImage & Narrative
Collection & virtual fashion2021
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Dive into the OceanBody & Wear
Collection2022
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Flowers’ Life CycleDigital & Interaction
Digital fashion & sculpture2021
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CicadaBody & Wear
Garment2021
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The TravelerBody & Wear
Garment2021
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Flowers in MirrorDigital & Interaction
Collaborative installation2021
Complete project record
Ongoing
2026–present Thesis · ongoing
Maternity Supportwear ↗
Qualitative interviews exploring abdominal and back support needs during pregnancy, comfort, and experiences with existing maternity supportwear.
2026 Concept · ongoing
Three Magic Mirrors ↗
Three proposed AI lifeforms explore how an intelligent mirror might shape identity.
OngoingExploration
Voice-interactive Tamagotchi ↗
Voice interaction with a digital companion.
Selected and earlier work
2026 Completed object
Luminous Iris ↗
A PolyJet 3D fabric-printed lampshade; accepted for the forthcoming ITAA 2026 exhibition.
2024 System proposal
LLM Multiagent-Based Fashion Design System
A proposed multi-agent framework for fashion concepts, materials and design research.
2024 Digital exploration
Candycore — Sweet Dreamland
ComfyUI renderings and animation, paired with human-corrected technical flats.
2024 Virtual collection
Urban Oasis
A Clo3D collection exploring vivid color and digital textile surfaces.
2023 Collection
The Dream Garden ↗
An ethereal fashion collection, presented through the original portfolio and lookbook.
2022 Collection
Dive into the Ocean ↗
Ocean-inspired garments, digital patterns and 3D-printed elements.
2022 Virtual fashion
Mary Chris
Digital garment rendering and virtual-fitting imagery.
2022 Virtual fashion
The Rose Vow
A digital garment explored through virtual-fitting imagery.
2021 Brand identity
Brand Genesis
The development of the Summer Han brand through visual identity, market research and communication.
2021 Collection
Da Tang Still Exists ↗
Tang Dynasty inspiration explored through garments, Clo3D, print, digital sculpture and material experiments.
2021 Digital fashion & sculpture
Flowers’ Life Cycle ↗
Digital clothing and sculptural flower forms, including the Buds branch.
2021 Fashion exploration
Sinofuturism
Ancient Chinese cosmology, polymer materials and spacesuit-inspired forms.
2021 Garment
Cicada ↗
An insect-wing-inspired structure made with a 3D-printing pen.
2021 Garment
The Traveler ↗
An adaptable dress exploring portability and different ways of wearing.
2021 Collaborative installation
Flowers in Mirror ↗
Digital sculpture, animation and projection, with Leo Wang and Jiadan Chu.
2020 Fashion exploration
The Birth of Venus
Venus-inspired print, digital garment and sculpture studies.
2020 Virtual fashion
Create Me
Three personalized digital identities and garment studies.
2019 Analysis · later proposal
Fashion Forward
E-commerce regression study; later plans for AI-assisted trend analysis.
UndatedArchived work
The Soft Armor ↗
Woven fiber optics, LED control and garments that carry light.
Support, recognition & shared moments
Awards &
Recognition.
2026 Accepted
Luminous Iris ↗
International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Design Exhibition
Design and accompanying abstract accepted for the 2026 exhibition.
2026 Funding
Alan D. Mathios Research & Service Grant
Human Ecology Alumni Association (HEAA), Cornell University
Supporting ongoing maternity-supportwear research.
2023 Recognition
Fashion Future Graduate Showcase
Council of Fashion Designers of America · Runway360
2023 Award
Chicago Leadership Escape Fashion Champions of Success Awards
A/N/A A Non-Agency · First Place
2023 Award
Raymond Hudd Millinery Award
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2022 Award
Alibaba AGI Global Challenge
Alibaba Global Initiatives · Third Prize
2022 Finalist
Pierre Cardin Young Designer’s Contest · US edition
Maison Pierre Cardin
Shows & exhibitions
2026 Forthcoming
ITAA Design Exhibition
Luminous Iris · design and abstract accepted
Accepted for the forthcoming exhibition
2024
Fashion Futures 2024
Cinecity Studios, Chicago
2024
A Garment Gallery Pop-Up
Olio: Curated Event Space, Chicago
2024
Perception
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago
2023
Paris Fashion Week
Paris, France
2023
New York Fashion Week
New York, US
2023
Fashion Futures 2023
Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago
2023
London Fashion Week
Fashion Scout, London, UK
2022
Chicago Fashion Week
Chicago, US
2021
Future Thoughts
Exhibition of emerging young artists · Nomadic Gallery, Tianmuli, Hangzhou