Hahnji Jang (장한지) is an activist who chose costume design and styling as their medium of expression. Achieving sustainability became a goal toward achieving intersectionality in their work. As Jang works to decolonize the mindsets of those around them, they also recognized the need to decolonize their own personal and professional practices.

The shows Jang designs feature marginalized creators on stage, and they wanted that same focus to be reflected off stage. If spending money on an institution’s behalf, Jang asked, why shouldn't that spending align with their values? For Jang, this meant not only refocusing costume purchasing on shopping secondhand—as they had done in their personal life from a young age—but also emphasizing intersectional sourcing and spending.

In their shopping experience, Jang has found that BIPOC-owned brands are almost always practicing sustainability more than corporate brands—not just by sourcing locally, creating less waste, and using sustainable materials, but most importantly, by valuing labor and giving back to their community. These values drive the way they approach the labor that goes into the creation of their theatrical work. Jang’s other work includes upcycling garments to empower individuals to wear their existence proudly.