天天吃瓜

This collection explores how fashion can benefit from developing nations and how developing nations can benefit from fashion without being victims of exploitation. The research in this collection explores how fashion can establish mutually beneficial relationships with third-world countries by representing and preserving their history, culture, and tradition through cultural clothing. This collection aims to represent traditional South Asian Silhouettes in a modern and stylish way while making them easy to wear. In subtle ways, the collection incorporated the conventional ways of dressing in South Asian culture in my collection. By researching South Asian colors, fabric, prints, and drapes, developed seven final looks. During the pattern-making and draping process, the silhouettes for the looks were manipulated and solidified.

This study explores the potential for 1950s-inspired clothing to be reinterpreted and adapted for women aged 45-55 in modern times. Through a mixed-methods approach combining patternmaking, interviews, and design experimentation, this research identifies key areas for adaptation, including inclusive sizing, modifications to silhouettes, comfort, practicality, and age-positive design. The findings inform the design of a 1950s-inspired clothing collection that caters to the diverse needs and preferences of women in this age group, promoting confidence, self-expression, and age positivity.  

Another Club is a womenswear collection that answers the question of how to get more wear out of party clothes. It was originally inspired by the club kid scene, but over time, the concept merged with traits reminiscent of modernist concrete architecture. The custom ottoman pieces were knitted using the Stoll ADF-3 machine. Which created a textured, sparkling effect using a mix of cotton and metallic yarns. It is ready to be worn for any occasion, especially on the dance floor. Since these pieces are meant to be worn while out on the town, the many zippers and clips allow for ventilation and customization. Another Club is a collection ready for anything, especially the dance floor.  

CODA is an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults. As a designer, my experiences growing up as a CODA brought about a question.鈥疘s it possible to translate sound into a visual medium?鈥� 
Sound waves are made up of vibrations, so I looked at places where sound travels through water. The repetitive ripples and echoes of the sound waves inspired the ruching, gathers, and curves seen in the collection. The printed black-and-white patterns are also created through sound vibrations; however, these vibrations travel through salt. 
Since this collection started through the inspiration of my parents and their deaf culture, I needed to include American Sign Language. I decided to print images of me signing onto layers of silk organza, using them as stop-motion sentences.  

How can we create clothes that are sweet and cute without being infantilized for their femininity? Focusing on small details and surface textures, this collection explores frilly and poofy silhouettes that house laborious handiwork. Taking inspiration from cute culture, the use of ruffles and volume are meant to take up space unapologetically while taking into account the wearer鈥檚 comfort and ease of movement. In addition to the delicate yet demanding fabrics, other details had a focus on an interdisciplinary approach to the domestic arts. From the kitchen to the sewing machine, this collection is for women of all ages and sizes that wish to dress cute without feeling like they鈥檙e in someone else鈥檚 clothes.  

Polleo Poeta brings the comfort of masculinity and the fit of men鈥檚 sleepwear to femme-built bodies. Sleepwear should be about comfort first and foremost; mentally and physically. Catered towards masculine presenting people looking for uniquely fun fits and designs this collection was tailored start to finish to smooth out and fit the shape of the body鈥檚 curves creating a male silhouette. The surface design of the collection combines whimsical illustrations and self-designed prints within the confides of a comfortably masculine collection. Featuring a collectable array of characters, each look features an expressive scene playing out between the characters. Can you spot them all?  

My collection titled, 鈥淏y the Grace of God,鈥� explores the process of rediscovering a person鈥檚 relationship with God as an adult. This evolution has resonated with me because I had found myself in a tough spot towards the start of college when I was exposed to the newfound freedoms school had to offer. I was left to decide if my relationship with God was of my own accord or had been what I was comfortable with my whole life. Since wrestling with God, I have discovered a friendship that I has saved me from my own volition time and time again. Using stained glass as the primary motif of this collection, I have illustrated stories of grace and hope that God has promised if you choose to build into a relationship with Him. Some pieces are very clear with the message they are portraying, whilst others are monochromatic and ambiguous. This juxtaposition represents the fact that everyone is on their own personal spirituality journey, and that God will choose many different walks of life to fulfill His will. 

In stories, changelings are faerie children swapped with humans at birth, who later find it impossible to fit into society. The modern fashion market has its own changelings - people who feel that minimalism and casual trends have limited their own personal style. This collection provides an easy way of adding detail and layers to everyday outfits, elevating them to a new form of everyday wear. Changeling utilizes historically inspired details like lacework and pleats, combined with floral themed prints and stitching, evoking imagery of gilded age ballgowns and 1980s adventure flicks. Garments are made with natural fibers and constructed with the wearer's comfort in mind. Changeling begs the question; can detailed, historically inspired garments appeal to modern markets looking for quick and easy-to-wear clothing?  

This BFA thesis aims to answer the question: How would menswear change without war? Such a broad question poses massive amounts of hypothesis, research, and development, leading to the final collection. Through the use of indigo-dyeing, fabric research in regards to French workwear to 20th century wars, my collection aims to answer said thesis statement. The final outcome of the collection bears heavy resemblance to both traditional workwear and military garments, incorporating these aspects into seam, pocket, and closure details. The use of indigo dyeing is solely a choice made through inspiration from French workwear, and the personal importance of craftsmanship, and longevity. The final result of the collection aims to not only answer said question, but to also emphasize durability through craftsmanship. 

How can reminiscing about my childhood bring light to Eastern 天天吃瓜ucky and its Appalachian culture? Appalachian Home reflects on my inner child and her process of growth. Through her eyes, I reveal to others how a small part of the world greatly impacted my life. The design process for this collection highlights core childhood memories and Eastern 天天吃瓜ucky鈥檚 natural beauty through embroidery. It is a story of the Appalachian area and plays a role in women鈥檚 western attire. Although the area is more known for its Southern aesthetic, the design silhouettes were created to keep that similar feeling in mind. This collection pays homage to my Appalachian home, in hopes that it may inspire others to have fun and be bold with their identity. 

My collection Devout Bodies or Devout aims to address the multitude of issues that exist within the plus size women鈥檚 wear industry. Specifically, the lack of stylish designs, gaudy prints, unflattering silhouettes, and most importantly, limited size range. My concept began with a question; how can plus size women鈥檚 clothing be elevated to be flattering and attractive while emphasizing the importance of body inclusivity? From there I began to build my collection based on not only my own experiences, but the experiences of the plus size/curvy women around me. I focused on creating flattering silhouettes that could translate and compliment multiple body types. While also ensuring that quality and style would not be sacrificed. Additionally, I designed two prints. One a logo print, and the other made up of love letters written to my body. I developed my color palette from the 鈥楽targazer鈥� Lily, as I found the vibrant colors inside the bloom encapsulated the spirit of my collection. From all of these factors and ideas, I was able to execute a collection that I feel not only accomplished my goal, but gives the wearer the confidence boost they never knew they needed. 

This collection is an exploration of how getting dressed can increase one鈥檚 respect for the natural world, taking the time to look our best when we venture out forces a slower consideration of the world around us. Visually this project reflects my time spent growing up in and around the Olympic Rainforests of Washington, told through texture and imagery of a place almost too special for human eyes. I want to raise awareness for the outdoors and its enthusiasts by creating clothing inspired directly from the natural world, instead of our need to stand out in it.

When designing this collection my focus was to design clothes that had unusual details and eye-catching components while still designing as sustainable as I could. I wanted to incorporate details like surface design, making my own fabric, and irregular seamlines and closures to add to the interest of the garments. The most important part of the collection was finding a material that was going to be as sustainable as possible. My love for working with denim and sustainability came together and I decided to make my collection out of recycled denim jeans found at multiple different thrift stores. I also used belts from antique stores as closures and straps. Except from zippers from the garment district in New York City the entire collection is made of repurposed and recycled materials. 

My collection framework explores how the men's workwear industry can be expanded to include fashionable options for various body types. This collection is designed for workers and adventurers in different fields who feel the current market lacks workwear that meets their needs. I aim to merge functionality with stylish aesthetics using utilitarian fabrics in a vibrant color palette. The collection features a range of shirt styles, cargo pants, and leather tool belts. My designs prioritize durability and comfort, making transitioning from work to play easy. Each piece is crafted with clean, contrasting stitching and reinforced seams to withstand wear and tear, with the added benefit of being repairable for longevity. Ultimately, the goal is to create timeless garments that will last a lifetime and beyond. 

This collection draws inspiration from the women who have shaped my life. My mother, my first and most influential role model, instilled in me the values of strength and resilience. Since starting my college journey, I鈥檝e been fortunate to gain a supportive community of like-minded women within my sorority and major, which has given me appreciation for femininity. This collection is a celebration of these relationships and the beauty of being a woman. Through a color-saturated palette, bold prints, and innovative fabric manipulations, the designs embrace an exaggerated feminine aesthetic. Each piece reflects the joy, empowerment, and individuality of the women who inspire me. My vision is to create clothing that not only enhances a woman鈥檚 sense of beauty but also encourages her to embody strength, confidence, and individuality, echoing the qualities of the women who have inspired me. 

In today's industry, sustainability has infiltrated almost every aspect of our lives. In fashion some of the markets have been slower to follow along with the trend; most notably the streetwear market. Streetwear is known to carry a more rough and ready aesthetic, but how can that be achieved through a sustainably conscious lens? In my research I鈥檝e taken inspiration from graffiti and traditional streetwear trends started in the 90鈥檚. The most common staple pieces seen during that time are graphic T-shirts and denim, namely blue jeans. Reworked strives to create a new wave of streetwear made from fully upcycled and reconstructed textiles, for the everyday person, as well as our style conscious individuals. This genderless collection takes its name from the use of fully transformed pre-constructed garments to rework staple pieces into reinvented staple pieces.