UNTITLED (PROFILE)
Gustav Peichl, Peich & Partner Achitekten
Phosphate Elimination Plant — Coordinates: 52°35'34.0"N 13°17'03.0"E
Tegel, Germany, 1987
Richard Rogers and Mike Davies
INMOS Microprocessor Factory — Coordinates: 51°33′57″N 3°01′21″W
Newport, UK — 1980
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
PA Technology Laboratory Research Facility
Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1983
François Deslaugiers
Re­gio­nal In­for­ma­tion Cen­ter — Ne­mours
France, 1975
Richard Rogers and Norman Foster
Electronic components factory for Reliance Controls Limited, Swindon, Wiltshire
Team 4, Swindon, England, 1967
Tobia and Afra Scarpa
Benetton Group's industrial complex in Castrette di Villorba
Treviso, Italy, 1980
Richard + Su Rogers
Zip-Up Enclosure No. 1 (Concept Residence)
1968
Guido Canella
Civic Center with the City Hall and a Junior High School
A + U E8803 Italian Architecture
Guido Canella
Civic Center with the City Hall and a Junior High School and Sports Ground
A + U E8803 Italian Architecture
Carlo Aymonino 
Residential Complex Monte Amiata Gallaratese 2
A + U E8803 Italian Architecture
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Benetton Production Facility — 1992-1995
Treviso, Italy
Santiago Calatrava, Fabio Reinhardt, Bruno Reichlin
Ernstings Warehouse (detail) — 1983-1985
Coesfeld, Germany

Arata Isozaki
Kitakyushu Central Library, Kitakyushu City
1973-1975
Santiago Calatrava, Fabio Reinhardt, Bruno Reichlin
Ernstings Warehouse (detail) — 1983-1985
Coesfeld, Germany

About Me


Khi Van Allen
khiry@tuta.io
Instagram


Khi Van Allen is a multidisciplinary textile artist and designer. His work blends storytelling, rebellion, and cultural memory through knitwear, denim, and experimental garment construction. He creates pieces that disrupt, reveal, and empower.

Artist Bio


Khi’s practice blends fashion, storytelling, and social commentary, exploring themes of rebellion, cultural identity, and empowerment. Specializing in knitwear and denim, Khi creates narrative-driven garments using natural dyes and sustainable techniques. His work challenges traditional textile design, often incorporating unconventional materials to push boundaries and engage with social issues.


His label, Swim Garden, is known for hand-knit garments, leatherwork, and experimental silhouettes that examine hidden messages in visual culture, drawing inspiration from historical propaganda, nightlife, and underrepresented communities.

Khi’s practice is rooted in sustainability and craftsmanship, focused on creating long-lasting, ethically produced garments. He is also deeply committed to community engagement, organizing artist-led experiences that provide platforms for independent textile artists to showcase their work. His long-term vision is to build a permanent space for independent designers that celebrates sustainable fashion and artistic innovation.


Khi’s work has been featured in pop-ups and collaborative shows throughout Chicago, New Orleans, & New York. He creates garments that ask us to slow down, look deeper, and notice the messages woven into the world around us, encouraging people to wear with intention and question the culture shaping them.

“Question everything. Wear what you mean.“



Education

Material Institute (Ultrices)
Fashion & Textiles Designer
2024

Northern Illinois University
B.S. in Business Management
2016

Art Institute of Chicago
Artist Internship
2012




Solo Shows

(upcoming) Tincidunt TBA
Ultricies Ultricies,
Congue Nisl
2026

(upcoming) Vestibulum-Vitae
Auctor Ipsum,
Dictumst Ligula,
Porta Libero
2024

Suspendisse
Molestie Aenean,
Facilisis Tellus,
Porta Libero
2024

Ultrices
Parturient Felis,
Pharetra Nibh,
Porta Libero
2023


Group Shows

Eu & Fringilla, Collaborative 
Imperdiet with Quam Sodales
2023

Semper
Cursus Tempus,
Porta Libero
2023

Dictum, Elit. Vestibulum
Gravida Congue
2023

Rhoncus Congue
Ullamcorper Suspendisse,
Duis Ornare Porta Libero
2023

Pellentesque Ornare
Porttitor Ultrices,
Sagittis Tempor
2022





PROJECT 002