LOCATION
Freeman Alley Graffiti Wall
Freeman Alley is a small street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York. It is between Bowery and Chrystie Street. In the past, people used it for trash and delivery. But now, it has become a famous place for street art. Many artists come here to paint, draw, and put up stickers and posters. Its transformation reflects the area's long-standing legacy of underground art, activism, and urban rebellion.
The alley has many layers of art. New drawings often cover old ones. It changes all the time. This showcases the city's free and creative spirit. Unlike curated murals in other parts of the city, the alley is unregulated and constantly evolving—what’s painted one day might be covered up the next. The wall becomes a living art piece that people can add to at any time.
Garment Inspiration
This project was shot in Freeman Alley, New York City. I used a hand-painted coat as a medium to connect my body with the space— visually, physically, and conceptually. For me, the wall is not just a background; it’s something alive. I wanted my body to look like it peeled off the wall, or like it’s being slowly absorbed back into it.
I’m interested in the relationship between the body, clothing, and urban space. Through exaggerated poses—lying down, leaning, blending in—I tried to blur the boundary between myself and the wall. The coat acts like a wearable piece of the alley, filled with graffiti, noise, and layers of history. The textures and colors of the garment extend into the environment around it, making it hard to tell where the clothing ends and the wall begins.
This work reflects how I experience chaotic spaces: not as an outsider, but as someone shaped by them. I think we all leave invisible marks on the places we move through, and sometimes, those places leave marks on us, too. I hope that when people look at these images, they don’t just see a person in a cool alley—I want them to feel how the body and the wall speak to each other.
Black Denim
The Process
Cutting the sleeves down
Making long sleeves
The Original Jacket
Paint Spary
Photo Shoot Plan
Location: Freeman Alley Graffiti Wall
The concept for my photoshoot was to position myself in the middle of the Graffiti wall, and the background is probably a different part of the wall. Because I want to highlight and emphasize my garment's sleeves, which is a response to the wall, and I want it to look like it belongs on the wall, but also stands out a little bit to display my design. Since I want to keep the chaos of the Graffiti wall, I make my garments become a removable monument in the alley.
AD Inspiration
The design of my fashion ad was inspired by the Balenciaga Winter 2022 Campaign, particularly its central composition and overall vibe. Building on that, I added more typography and layered slogans to reflect how I blend into the wall.
Artist Statement
This project was shot in Freeman Alley Graffiti Wall, New York City. I used a hand-painted coat with spray paint as a medium to connect my body with the space: visually, physically, and conceptually. For me, the wall is not just a background; it’s something alive, because it holds thousands of artists' work. I wanted my body to look like it peeled off the wall, or like it’s being slowly absorbed back into it. I’m interested in the relationship between the body, clothing, and urban space. Through exaggerated poses, lying down, leaning, and blending in that I tried to blur the boundary between myself and the wall. The coat acts like a wearable piece of the alley, filled with graffiti, noise, and layers of history. The textures and colors of the garment extend into the environment around it, making it hard to tell where the clothing ends and the wall begins. This work reflects how I experience chaotic spaces: not as an outsider, but as someone shaped by them, becoming a part of them. I think we all leave invisible marks on the places we move through, and sometimes, those places leave marks on us, too. I hope that when people look at these images, they don’t just see a person in a cool alley, and I want them to feel how the body and the wall speak to each other, just like an echo.
By Cori Jin