Skins explores the layered identities we wear—both imagined and inherited—by juxtaposing thrifted graphic t-shirts, symbols of self-expression, with the natural elegance of animal fur. The collection pokes at the theatricality of fashion—the way we costume ourselves with exaggerated identities—relating our choices to the necessity of survival strategies and camouflage found in the animal world. Skins also gestures toward a deeper concern: the fragile ecosystems that sustain these native species. By referencing pelts used for educational purposes, the work reflects on the urgency of preserving the habitats that allow these animals to live and thrive—not just to be remembered as specimens. Skins asks us to consider how mass consumption and conservation intersect, and what it means to honor the living presence of the wild. Special thanks to Linda B. Maddra, Virginia Master Naturalist, whose collection of native Virginian pelts served as reference material for Skins. Through her work, Linda generously shares these specimens for educational and outreach purposes in schools and local communities.