# Eccentric Metaphorical Ensembles Minky Ha Uses Fashion to Create Statements About Capitalism By Ana Lopez | Published 2012-01-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minky-ha References: [trendland.net](http://trendland.net/trendwatch-minky-ha/) & [minkymouse](http://www.minkymouse.com/) At first sight, the collection by South Korea-born designer Minky Ha seems like a series of costumes from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; however, these [futuristic fashionable pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-future-is-not-set) were created with the intention to give capitalism a different mode of manifestation. Entitled 'What Men Live By?,' this collection is full of symbolism and metaphors. The idea behind each outfit is to represent a different stage in someone's life in capitalism. Some pieces cover the body from head to toe, while others from shoulders to toes, either way these suits make a [strong visual statement](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirty-looks) because of their chunky appearance and bizarre cuts. These [large and extravagant ensembles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transhabit-collection) wrap the body in a way that make the models look like they are wearing chic sumo suits. Styled with gravity-defying, hip pony tails and funky wigs, the designs by Minky Ha are hard to comprehend but fascinating to see. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Symbolic Fashion:** Exploring the use of fashion as a medium to convey deeper meanings and messages about societal issues like capitalism. - **Metaphorical Ensembles:** Creating visually striking outfits that represent different stages and aspects of life within capitalism. - **Chunky Futurism:** Embracing bold and unconventional cuts and structures to create avant-garde and futuristic fashion pieces. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Design:** Opportunities for designers to push boundaries and use fashion as a vehicle for storytelling and social commentary. - **Art and Culture:** Exploration of fashion as a form of artistic expression, blurring the lines between traditional art and design. - **Sustainable Fashion:** Adopting bold, eccentric designs in sustainable fashion to challenge conventional norms and promote conscious consumption. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Politically-Inspired Runway Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selkies-the-libertine-collection.md) - [Statement-Making Fall Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-fall-2025.md) - [Avant-Garde High Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hm-x-glenn-martens.md) - [Cutting-Edge Wearable Furnishings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cuttingedge-wearable-furnishings-mcm-wearable-casa-intersects-luxury-fashio.md) - [Futuristic Statement Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-future-is-not-set.md) - [Disruptive Fashion Art Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirty-looks.md) - [Fantastical Hyper-Utility Fashion Liness](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirty-dirty-jobs.md) - [Versatile Sculptural Outerwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transhabit-collection.md) - [Conceptual Memory-Themed Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paranoid-fw25.md)