The “Genetic Warrior” lab coat is a bold fashion statement paying tribute to the bravery and intellect of frontline doctors in the fight against HIV/AIDS. More than just protective wear, this design symbolizes the fusion of science, strength, and humanity. Drawing inspiration from advanced gene therapy and the disciplined elegance of samurai armor, the coat speaks of transformation, precision, and courage. A powerful crimson hue courses through the design, symbolizing urgency, vitality, and the passionate pursuit of healing.

The sharply structured shoulders and tailored silhouette evoke the readiness of a warrior prepared for battle but not with weapons, but with knowledge and compassion. At the back, black crossed straps resemble the iconic CRISPR-Cas molecular scissors, signifying the cutting-edge science used to eliminate viral threats. The front closures, formed in the shape of interlocking DNA helices, blend functionality with symbolism—anchoring the coat with the very blueprint of life. Near the lower back, an abstract virus motif intertwined with genetic symbols serves as a visual reminder of science’s power to heal and transform.

This coat is not merely attire but it is a declaration. It honors doctors not only as healers but as genetic warriors at the forefront of reshaping the future of medicine.

This piece powerfully blends fashion, science, cultural identity, and advocacy into a wearable statement aimed at confronting HIV stigma and promoting awareness. Inspired by the global HIV movement, the gown is anchored in the groundbreaking U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) message, symbolized by a bold U-shaped neckline that champions both scientific truth and hope for those living with HIV.

The garment’s layered translucent fabrics evoke emotional depth and transparency—symbolizing the dismantling of stigma and encouraging open dialogue. DNA strands woven into the design and pill-like motifs highlight the importance of medical research and antiretroviral treatment, while interwoven hands reflect unity, care, and community support.

Symbolism runs deep through every element, a red ribbon for HIV awareness, beadwork representing healing and cultural pride, and a patchwork of 29 diverse fabrics representing the countries involved in international HIV research. Three embroidered pieces reflect the third wave of Positive Perspectives studies. The back features a green yoke for climate-aware healthcare, with vibrant multicolored panels and a flowing translucent train that celebrate global diversity and movement. More than just fashion, “Empowered Threads” is a bold visual manifesto—communicating resilience, equity, and collective healing in the global HIV response.

My design was inspired by the idea that having HIV is not a crime. I created this mood board and hat to help people understand that those living with HIV should not be judged, hated, or treated unfairly. They are people like everyone else and deserve love, care, and respect.

In the mood board, I used images like the red ribbon, broken chains, hands, and strong words to show support, freedom, and justice. I also added a gavel, which is a symbol of law and fairness, to show that people with HIV have rights and should be protected by the law. If someone hurts or disrespects them, they should be punished, just like anyone who breaks the law. Having HIV is not something someone should be blamed or punished for. It is a health condition, and it does not make someone less important.

My goal with this design is to fight stigma and make people feel strong, loved, and safe. I want everyone to understand that people with HIV can live happy lives and be part of the community. We must all stand together to protect their rights and treat them with kindness and equality to convey message with garment.

In response to the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on health, researcher Dr. Ramon focuses his work on understanding how environmental shifts affect the spread of HIV worldwide. To effectively communicate the intricate connection between climate and viral transmission, I collaborated with him to design a symbolic and functional lab coat that visually represents his research. Every feature of the coat has been thoughtfully crafted to highlight the relationship between environmental factors and HIV, making complex data accessible and engaging.

The front of the coat features a bold pattern with embedded symbols such as the HIV ribbon intertwined with environmental icons like water droplets and temperature gauges, illustrating how climate variables influence the virus. The back depicts a globe wrapped in a red HIV ribbon, surrounded by icons of melting ice caps and storms, emphasizing the global and environmental context of the research. Additional digital patches display real-time data, while embroidered symbols reinforce the message visually, turning the coat into a wearable visual narrative of scientific discovery and advocacy.

This innovative lab coat serves as an eye-catching tool to raise awareness about climate change and its effects on HIV transmission. It encourages dialogue across disciplines and communities, inspiring collective action to address intertwined health and environmental challenges. Through this project, Ramon and I aim to connect science with visual storytelling, demonstrating that understanding and fighting HIV in a changing climate requires a collaborative, global effort.

This ceremonial lab coat pays tribute to the 5,338 young women who participated in the groundbreaking PURPOSE 1 study—women whose bravery helped demonstrate the 100% effectiveness of biannual Lenacapavir injections in preventing HIV. Designed by Emile Ntakiyimana, the coat fuses scientific innovation with African cultural identity, transforming data into a wearable statement of hope, resilience, and unity.

Red shoulder panels, stitched with over 5,000 pearl-like beads, resemble armor and represent each woman’s voice in the study. Two contrasting buttons on the front mark the biannual dosage of Lenacapavir, while “100%” embroidered on the pocket celebrates the study’s powerful outcome: no infections among participants. The inverted AIDS ribbon on the faux fur collar rests over the heart, symbolizing healing and transformation. Rwandan-inspired umugongo-style ribbons on the sleeves unite culture with advocacy, emphasizing strength and movement. At the waist, a sisal rope tied into a globe with 5,338 knots underscores global unity in fighting HIV. Tailored pleats and a curved hip strap blend tradition with progress.

Finally, a red globe embroidery at the hem honors the invisible labor of ethics, trust, and care—reminding us that ending HIV requires both scientific excellence and human compassion.

This vibrant and deeply symbolic garment tells a powerful story of resilience, hope, and advocacy in the face of HIV/AIDS, especially as it affects women and children. Inspired by the reality that a pregnant woman living with HIV can still give birth to a healthy baby with the right medical care, this design emphasizes the power of early intervention, education, and unwavering support.

The sleeves feature green ribbons, symbolizing mental health awareness and the importance of breaking psychological barriers often faced by those living with HIV. They serve as a reminder that compassion and emotional well-being are vital parts of treatment and support. Red in the design boldly conveys love, courage, and the urgent fight against HIV/AIDS, while yellow evokes warmth, hope, and the promise of a brighter, healthier future for affected families. The winged elements are metaphors for empowerment—representing the strength to overcome stigma, rise above adversity, and fly toward a life of dignity and health. One sleeve, shaped like a woman, honors the enduring strength and resilience of women living with HIV.

The use of Kitenge fabric proudly celebrates African identity, unity, and cultural pride, rooting the design in the continent’s heritage. The inclusion of TikTok symbolism highlights the role of modern platforms in reaching youth with fast, impactful messages on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, encouraging education through creativity and digital storytelling.

The design is a symbolic and educational fashion piece that addresses two critical health issues affecting women, cervical cancer and HIV/AIDS. Drawing inspiration from the anatomical structure of the female reproductive system, the garment’s silhouette reflects the shape of the uterus, with particular emphasis on the cervix—the primary site where cervical cancer develops. The back neckline has been carefully elevated to avoid unnecessary visual clutter, replacing previous horn-like elements with a more meaningful representation of the cervix extending downward to the vaginal area, ensuring anatomical accuracy and stronger visual communication.

Strategically placed “horns” on the garment symbolize the fallopian tubes, where small pocket-like features illustrate cervical cells in two states: healthy and infected. These visual cues create a powerful educational narrative embedded within the design. At the waistline, functional pockets on either side serve as additional symbolic tools: the left pocket represents healthy cervical cells, while the right pocket displays infected cells, subtly emphasizing the importance of early screening and awareness.

To connect the issue of cervical cancer with HIV—two health threats that disproportionately affect women—a red ribbon (for HIV awareness) is integrated into the waist and back of the design. A blue ribbon placed on the pocket signifies the parallel need to combat both diseases simultaneously. This design blends fashion with advocacy, aiming to educate, provoke thought, and inspire action.

The design is a unique garment that bridges science and fashion to communicate resilience, awareness, and innovation in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Central to the design are the Y-shaped bold shoulder wings, representing antibodies on the scientific frontline, poised to block HIV from infecting healthy cells. A double mandarin collar reinforces the idea of an immunological barrier, expressing structure, precision, and global commitment to vaccine development. The Velcro front opening metaphorically demonstrates how antibodies bind to the virus, with hook and loop textures simulating the interaction between virus, antibody, and human cells.

The use of sequin and flip-sequin fabrics symbolizes the mutating nature of HIV’s surface proteins, while red antibody embroidery at the neckline stands as a guardian over the body’s vital entry points. Further emphasizing awareness, a waist belt designed as the red ribbon embodies solidarity, education, and support for those affected.

Cultural depth is added through basket-inspired motifs, reflecting the virus’s spread across communities and regions. Virus-blocked embroidery, in-seam pockets for instruments, and DNA helix patterns enhance both storytelling and functionality. With creative features like binding beadwork representing broadly neutralizing antibodies and a ventilated inverted back pleat, this lab coat becomes more than apparel—it is wearable activism.

This design is a transformative modular outfit that visually and functionally responds to the intersecting challenges of migration, identity, and HIV vulnerability. Inspired by the lived experiences of migrants—particularly those affected by or at risk of HIV—the design blends symbolic and practical elements to tell a powerful story of resilience, displacement, and hope.

The use of light khaki symbolizes land, memory, and longing for home—a color often associated with journeys and transitional states. The inclusion of a world map and location icons signifies constant movement, uncertainty, and the global scope of migration. A zigzag line on the left sleeve expresses disruption and unpredictability, while the lady’s head represents the strength and dignity of women migrants, who often face heightened risks of violence, HIV infection, and social exclusion.

The iconic red ribbon reaffirms HIV/AIDS awareness, placed strategically to center the garment’s health-focused message. Color contrasts of dark green, black, white, and brown evoke diversity and intersectionality, emphasizing cultural identity and global inclusivity.

This design is not just aesthetic—it is functional and adaptable, promoting dignity and protection. It underscores the urgent need for inclusive healthcare, integrated HIV services, and policy reform to empower migrants to live healthy, connected, and meaningful lives throughout their journeys.

The design is a bold and symbolic garment that brings together artistic expression and public health advocacy, inspired by street-based science, harm reduction practices, and the lived experiences of vulnerable communities. The design tells a visual story of trauma, resilience, and the call for empathy in the fight against HIV and the stigma surrounding drug use.

The Hood & Long Front Zip represents protection and access just like science provides access to solutions, the long zipper invites people to open up to understanding. The Drawstring forms “26” June, the International Day Against Drug Abuse, reminding us that the fight is global. Naloxone Spray reminder us of how reversing overdoses saves lives. The Open Hand is a symbol of peer support everyone, I am here for you, I won’t judge you, lest walk this path together HIV Test Tube (Positive Result).

This highlights the need for awareness and testing even when the truth is hard, it’s better to know Red Ribbon. The universal symbol of HIV awareness, showing solidarity and the fight against stigma. Van with Black Beads as Tires. A powerful storytelling piece a vehicle of hope. The black beads (often linked to mourning or hardship) become wheels that move supported by people helping one another to move forward. It says even pain can carry progress when we lift each other up.

The lab coat was created in collaboration with scientist Jesper, transforming cutting-edge HIV research into a striking visual narrative. Rooted in the theme “The Hidden Transformation of HIV,” the garment symbolizes how the virus mutates, hides, and evades the immune system after entering the human body. The design powerfully blends fashion and science to raise awareness and encourage continued dialogue on HIV prevention and research.

The garment features a collar that marks the entry point of the virus—highlighting human vulnerability but also the beginning of immune defense. Flared sleeves represent the virus’s reach and adaptability, mimicking how HIV spreads and morphs within the body. The red ribbon waistband symbolizes HIV awareness, with its color and form evolving to reflect the virus’s shifting identity and the challenge of immune recognition.

Black press studs are strategically scattered across the design to indicate immune “checkpoints,” visualizing the body’s effort to pause or block the virus. A multicolored DNA strand in the back pleat echoes the virus’s genetic complexity, while a bold red shoulder pad represents the immune system’s active protection.

This garment is more than aesthetic—it is an educational tool. By translating scientific concepts into wearable art, Pascaline’s design invites viewers to better understand the complex nature of HIV, its impact on the body, and the urgent need for continued research and support.

This garment design uses symbolic fashion elements to promote HIV prevention and empowerment, especially for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).

A PrEP-shaped button signifies access, control, and a daily commitment to health. The red belt represents strength and action, wrapping around the body to reflect 360-degree support from community, self-care, and medicine. Rounded cuffs and shield-shaped pockets emphasize protection, while pleated striped sleeves highlight diverse pathways to care—clinics, outreach, and support systems. The heart-shaped “Stay Negative” graphic symbolizes care, health, and destigmatization.

A white-and-red chest pocket near the heart represents proactive care and access to vital information. The blue and white asymmetrical panel reflects unity between those with and without HIV, promoting empathy and reducing stigma. The garment flare and wing design express freedom, visibility, and rising above stigma. A slit promotes openness and dialogue on sexual health.

The center back design emphasizes community and family support in AGYW’s prevention journey. Finally, the use of Kitenge fabric grounds the design in African culture, connecting heritage with modern health education. Together, the garment becomes a wearable statement of strength, care, and empowerment—celebrating identity while advocating for awareness and stigma-free HIV prevention.