2025 · Cannonball Arts
The first proof of concept
Two early bespoke garments established what Alter Ego’s sheer tapestries could become.
Press & Media
Alter Ego Expressions presents
The Press Room:
Stories Beyond the Frame
UNFRAMED · A living gallery & character-driven runway
Wearable art escaping the frame
Bumbershoot Fashion District
September 5–6, 2026 · Seattle Center
Official summaries, story angles, photography and artist information for editors, writers and producers.
01 · Official press summary
UNFRAMED turns the runway
into a living gallery
Seattle artist Ayanna Ali brought Alter Ego Expressions’ original character artwork into custom textiles, bespoke garments and an immersive live performance at Bumbershoot.
On September 5 and 6, 2026, Alter Ego Expressions debuted UNFRAMED at Bumbershoot Fashion District. Eighteen custom-fitted looks, five handmade theatrical masks, movement artists and live painting brought the brand’s visual world into physical space.
Models emerged through selective theatrical reveals, carried hidden textile imagery into view, and extended the living gallery through direct audience interactions. A 30+ person team grew the collection from two early garments into a complete production in four months.
18
Runway originals
05
Handmade masks
02
Bumbershoot performances
04
Months of development
Production format: a 30-minute living gallery combining fashion, visual art and performance.
Festival organizer feedback
“I loved seeing your vision come to life on stage both days. The additions to the show details on Day 2 were excellent too.”
Anika Zebron, Program Lead | Bumbershoot Fashion District Runway
Feedback following the September 2026 performances. Used with permission.
02 · Textile pattern development
The characters inside the textiles
Printed across Alter Ego’s lightweight, 54-inch-wide sheer textile, the imagery could be cut, gathered, layered and reshaped while remaining visibly connected to the characters that inspired it.
Casting, proportion, fittings, styling and movement gave each garment a distinct physical presence.
The transformation
Illustration becomes pattern.
Pattern becomes textile.
Textile becomes a moving body.
Artwork and textile design: Ayanna Ali. Courtesy of Alter Ego Expressions.
Each garment carries a recognizable piece of the larger Alter Ego universe.
03 · The story so far
From two garments to 18 runway originals
April 2026
An opportunity to expand
The Bumbershoot invitation and artist stipend unlocked silhouettes waiting in the sketch queue.
September 2026
The living gallery arrives
Eighteen runway originals appeared across two Bumbershoot performances.
The next chapter
Beyond Seattle
Alter Ego is developing future presentations and seeking cultural, presenting and funding partners.
04 · Editorial story angles
Stories editors can commission
Art & Performance · Retrospective
When the artwork leaves the frame
Inside the living-gallery production where original characters took shape through textiles, theatrical reveals and audience interaction.
Fashion & Business · Retrospective
Two garments. Four months. Eighteen looks.
How a Seattle artist expanded an early artwear experiment into a full Bumbershoot runway collection.
Technology & Culture
Game art meets alternative fashion
How Ayanna’s background in character art, game art and animation informs casting, world building and runway storytelling.
Arts & Creative Economy · Forward-looking
The next stage of UNFRAMED
Developing an adaptable production for festivals, galleries and cultural spaces, with investment in cast, crew, wardrobe care and new documentation.
05 · Selected imagery
Pull images. Preserve the credits.
Selected photographs below are available for editorial coverage with the supplied captions and preserved photographer credits. Contact us for original-resolution files, additional looks and publication-specific image requests.
Editorial use and caption guidance
Use the supplied model name, exact persona name, garment title, and “Courtesy of Alter Ego Expressions” in captions. Preserve photographer credit overlays; do not crop or obscure them. When using downloaded source photographs, retain the photographer attribution supplied in the credit guide. Preserve the source filename.
Downloading an image does not transfer copyright. Commercial, advertising, merchandising, paid promotional or third-party branded use requires prior written permission. Email info@alteregoexp.com for permissions.
06 · Designer & brand
Ayanna Ali & Alter Ego Expressions
Founder, Principal Artist & Creative Director
Ayanna Ali is a Seattle artist, designer and creative director who founded Alter Ego Expressions in 2018. Her practice spans original character art, game art, textiles, independent retail and live presentation. She builds surreal visual worlds that move across canvas and clothing.
UNFRAMED marks her most ambitious translation of two-dimensional artwork into bespoke garments and performance.
Wear More Art
Alter Ego Expressions is a Seattle alternative artwear brand known for original character-driven artwork, sheer tapestries, apparel, accessories, prints and immersive presentations.
“UNFRAMED starts with an image, but the work was always meant to move. The garments gave each character a body, and the performers gave that body a point of view.”
Ayanna Ali · Approved quote from the UNFRAMED media kit
07 · Press resources
The materials behind the story
Complete media kit
The current 45-page kit includes the collection story, designer bio, approved quotes, editorial angles, partnership context and model/look reference guide.
View the Media Kit in Canva ↗Full media kit · PDF
Download the complete kit, including the collection story, Anika Zebron’s feedback, press angles and model/look reference guide.
Download Full Media Kit · PDF45 pages · 10.5 MB
Caption & credit reference
Ready-to-use captions for the selected photographs, image filenames, credits and editorial-use terms.
Download Caption & Credit Guide · TXTRunway stories
Explore the garment process, character development and people who brought UNFRAMED to life.
Read the UNFRAMED stories →Additional press materials
Request original-resolution photography, individual model/look details, tailored press releases, interview quotes or backstage assets.
Request supporting assets →08 · Press & partnership contact
Bring the story
to your audience.
For interviews, editorial coverage, quotes and approved press imagery:
Deidre Ali
Authorized Agent · Press Inquiries
info@alteregoexp.com
Seattle, Washington
Media Reference
Anika Zebron, Program Lead | Bumbershoot Fashion District Runway
Available on request to provide a press statement about Alter Ego Expressions’ UNFRAMED performances at Bumbershoot. To arrange an introduction, contact Deidre Ali at info@alteregoexp.com.
Request a Reference StatementDeveloping UNFRAMED for touring
Alter Ego Expressions is developing UNFRAMED for future presentations at festivals, galleries, museums and cultural venues. The brand is seeking presenting partners, sponsors, fiscal partners and creative collaborators.
Support can fund cast and crew compensation, travel, wardrobe care, venue adaptation and documentation.
Discuss a Partnership