Self-discovery rarely comes with a map. For some, it’s a slow unraveling, a series of quiet moments when we’re alone with our thoughts. For others, it’s like tearing through layers of expectations, both our own and society’s, until we reach something raw and true. In a world that often pressures us to fit into neat categories, Ivan Hunga Garcia, an Embie creative based in Porto, found their truth in something as seemingly simple as fabric. But it wasn’t just fashion; it was a reclamation.

They are forging a path in the couture world, where fashion isn’t just worn, but deeply felt. Their work transcends garments, becoming a form of creative exploration, a way to push the boundaries of self-expression and challenge societal norms.

As we dive into Ivan’s story, we’ll unravel the universal threads that bind us all, identity, intimacy, and the courage it takes to live authentically, reminding us that the most personal journeys often speak to something deeply human in all of us.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

An Embie born in the countryside of Portugal, January Capricorn, 2000. Gemini moon. Leo rising. Sagi venus. INTJ

Present: living in Porto, pt, part-time fashion and investigation design, part-time tech student.

Were there any specific turning points in your journey that allowed you to more fully embrace your sexuality and identity?

A specific turning point was when I had to sit within myself due to pandemic times. As someone who naturally isolates themself, my sense of identity was channeling the inner fantasies into a material and physical environment designed exclusively by me. That's something that until then, investing and unlocking those thoughts as a complement of daily ritual would be impractical or unnecessary to the day-to-day life of a college student back in 2020. I introduced myself to society with a new sense of control of the narrative and social/external perception.

How would you describe yourself as creative? Do you see any links between your creative work, and sexuality contributing to it? And does this creative drive allow for some form of self-reflection and self-discovery for you?

I'm endorsing the paradigm of hyper sensual expression with an asexual mindset that has developed my character. And I think that has been peeking in my creative drive. After all, every concept and approach depends on the context it is displayed. Therefore, I expect the artistic environment to see BDSM and “suggestive” codes as a socio-cultural discourse other than sexualizing me (or anyone else) as an individual in the public eye. 

How do you use fashion as a tool to address, and challenge societal norms around sexuality and identity?

This question is quite intertwined with the previous one. Everyone has heard or used the expression “Sex sells”. Fashion campaigns are an example of that. Even though we as a collective are so afraid to articulate our wants and needs in a relaxed voice tone. That sexual deprivation in the way we communicate is what instigates misconceptions of values and acts of conduct. It also really puts into perspective how people consume and articulate their body language and bodycare.

Do you see lingerie or underwear as a medium for challenging or redefining traditional notions of gender, intimacy, or sexuality? How has this influenced your relationship with your body or others?

Lingerie is a layer that is always present but sometimes overlooked, because it's not seen. I see those items as design objects with potential to boost body euphoria in its various narratives of self-loathing. I don't like the concept of choosing according to what might attract your date, or being chosen solely by someone else. To me, it feels like a process of depersonalization. It should come from within, until that layer is taken off to where you are most vulnerable, that's what is the closest to your skin. Not including role-playing in this statement.

How do you continue to evolve in your relationship with identity, intimacy, and self-expression today?

I'm allowing myself and everyone around me that our priorities can change everyday, no expectations needed when each individual is looking forward to its own sense of accomplishment and ease. It's normal for things to be ephemeral, and so are feelings and everything else that can be seen as guaranteed.

Photography:
Olesya Parfenyuk