CSM Student Captures Society's Food Chain in Eat or be Eaten

Central Saint Martins BA Fashion Design student Yasu Whekang (@yasu_whekang) has unveiled 'Eat or be Eaten,' a collection that translates the brutal metaphor of survival and power dynamics in society into a striking visual language. The work reinterprets the harsh reality of the survival of the fittest—individuals navigating through society's metaphorical forest—through the medium of fashion accessories.

The sculptural piece crafted from black thread and pins transcends mere fashion object, functioning as a metaphor for struggle and defense in the fight for survival. The delicately woven threads symbolize fragility, while the sharply protruding pins represent both external threats and aggression, visualizing the precarious balance between strength and vulnerability. Through this, the designer questions the necessity for individuals in contemporary society to recognize their weaknesses and defend themselves.

CSM is renowned for producing emerging designers who consistently push fashion's boundaries to embed social and political messages. Yasu Whekang follows in this lineage, tackling weighty themes of power structures and survival instinct through fashion, expanding the discursive potential of contemporary design. This visually stunning and conceptually rich body of work signals the arrival of a next-generation designer who combines artistry with profound conceptual depth, challenging viewers to reconsider how we navigate the often unforgiving world we inhabit.