Zixin Ye (Leaf)
Costume Designer
2026, she/her MFA, Costume Design
Zixin Ye (Leaf) is a costume designer whose love for storytelling began with the books she devoured as a child. That early passion for narrative naturally evolved into a career shaping characters through fabric and design.
With an interdisciplinary background, Leaf brings both imagination and a deep understanding of the human experience to her work. For her, costume design is a language for expressing story and identity. She is equally passionate about the art of construction and the vision behind each design.
Her portfolio spans theater, film, and TVC. Her works have earned recognition in the numerous world-class exhibitions, with selections at World Stage Design 2022, World Costume in Action 2024, and World Stage Design 2025, as well as Second Place in Costume Design at LA MaMa DesignFest 2020.
Films featuring her costume designs have screened at prestigious festivals worldwide, including the Seattle Worldcon 2025 Film Festival, 2024 Beijing International Film Festival, 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, and HollyShorts Film Festival 2024 ect.
Growing up in China while immersed in the influences of American and European culture, Leaf developed a unique cross-cultural perspective that informs her creative vision.
When she’s not in the studio, you’ll find her dancing flamenco, playing the flute, or lost in a good book.
Work Samples
Wind River Human
By Yi Yang
Directed by Yi Yangi
Costume design & Construction by Zixin Ye
Jing Mo Mime Troupe – Oct 2019
The 10 O’clock Tonight
Adapted from Yuanjiong Lu, originally written by Dafu Yu
Directed by Yuanjiong Lu
Costume design & Construction by Zixin Ye
Xixi Live – Oct 2024
La Clemenza di Tito
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Directed by Michael McKelvey
Costume design by Zixin Ye
CMU School of Music – Jan 2026