W: Freddie Green

In the high-pressure cauldron of graduate fashion, few collections manage to strike the delicate balance between profound political commentary and pure, unadulterated joy. Isaac Yu’s award-winning collection, “Who Kills My Freedom?”, does exactly that. By deconstructing the rigid trauma of mandatory military service and rebuilding it with the whimsical scraps of a playground, Yu has established himself as a vital new voice in contemporary streetwear.

"Who Kills My Freedom?" is a masterclass in narrative design. In an era where streetwear often feels repetitive, Isaac Yu offers a refreshing alternative: clothing that is as intellectually stimulating as it is visually exuberant. He hasn't just designed a collection; he has designed a way to fight back—one star-shaped pocket at a time.

The Odyssey of Self-Redemption

The collection serves as a visual memoir of Yu’s personal journey. Born from the tension between his upbringing—one defined by creative encouragement—and the "structure and silence" of his mandatory military service in Taiwan, the garments act as a tool for self-redemption.

"I wanted to reclaim my voice," Yu explains. The collection asks a central, haunting question: Who kills my freedom? The answer, it seems, is found in the transition from the limitless imagination of a child to the enforced uniformity of a soldier.

Deconstructing the Combat Zone

Yu’s technical prowess lies in his ability to subvert the traditional "toughness" of military apparel. He takes the very symbols meant to erase the individual—camouflage, denim, and tactical silhouettes—and softens them with nostalgic references.

• The "Oreo" Silhouette: Perhaps the most striking element is the volume. Inspired by the soft, rounded textures of Oreo ice cream, the garments move away from the sharp, utilitarian lines of a uniform toward something protective yet playful.
• Subversive Camouflage: Look closely at the prints. What appears from a distance to be tactical gear reveals itself to be a collage of stars, teddy bears, and dinosaurs.
• The Crayon Aesthetic: Utilizing sustainable denim patchwork, Yu treats each piece like a canvas. Hand-drawn "crayon" elements and spontaneous fabric placements mimic the uninhibited energy of a child’s sketchbook, effectively "vandalizing" the seriousness of the military aesthetic.

A Gold-Standard Debut

The industry has already taken note. The collection recently secured a Gold Award at the 2025 MUSE Design Awards, a testament to its successful fusion of avant-garde construction and commercial streetwear appeal.

Yu’s work stands out because it doesn't just offer clothes; it offers a sanctuary. By incorporating teddy-bear-shaped patch pockets and star-themed utility loops, he proves that functionality doesn't have to be cold, and fashion doesn't have to be silent.

"Yu has turned the camouflage of invisibility into the camouflage of the self."