“Looking back, My Roots Are Not Woven in Cardboard turned out to be more than an artistic project; it has been a personal journey of discovery and affirmation. Through fashion, photography, and mixed media, we created something deeply personal yet universal, inviting others to see identity as fluid and layered, not fixed or defined by a single label. Above all, I take with me the understanding that roots, like threads, can be both delicate and unbreakable, woven into everything we create and everything we are.”

Aranza Thiessen

Her Final Degree Project explores identity through portraits, embroidery, and fashion, addressing themes such as memory and migration. Throughout the process, Aranza explored creative opportunities, learned new techniques, and developed her own visual voice. The project, deeply personal yet universal, was built through collaboration with models, designers, and mentors, and motivated her to continue researching identity through art and mixed media.