Jake Zhang’s Central Saint Martins 2025 graduate collection, aptly titled “BRIGHTLY,” is a vivid antidote to modern malaise. In a world teetering on uncertainty, Zhang’s work functions as a bridge between the sterile digital void and the tactile urgency of the physical world.
The collection’s brilliance lies in its "hyper-physical" interpretation of digital escapes. By pairing "Simpsons yellow" Aertex with vibrant red Lycra and muted grey jersey, Zhang creates a palette that feels like a glitching cartoon. The construction is equally subversive; utilizing AI and 3D modelling to manipulate upcycled garment waste and foam offcuts, the designer produces silhouettes that mimic the stiff, exaggerated geometry of video game avatars—most notably evidenced in the viral, padded "Y-front" pieces that reference retro boxing gear and Roblox aesthetics.
Zhang doesn't just dress the body; they "queer" the codes of sportswear, transforming traditional masculine archetypes into playful, post-physical hybrids. It is a masterful, optimistic exploration of how we might inhabit our digital future without losing our grip on reality.