Art Student Fashion

When I was told that I did in fact win the contest, I was ecstatic, but I was also told that I had to answer a few questions from ModCloth...

• What is your design experience?
• What inspiration helped inform your design?
• Where would you wear your piece?
• In general, what places, eras, trends, etc. inspire your style aesthetic?
• Do you have any fashion trends you’re loving this year?
• Who is your style icon?
• Do you have any future design plans/aspirations/dreams?
• A swatch of fabric can spark your creative juices, but what other materials, media, places, or artistic fields impact your design work?
• What visual queues or design ideas did the swatch inspire in your piece?

My Answers are as follows:

• My design experience in general ignited at a young age, but recently I rekindled the fire in my fashion illustration class this year.  For the first time I created an eight piece collection that was cohesive and had an overall theme, and I loved it.  I have only made one dress, a collared shirt, and two skirts, but they've mainly been made from patterns I've created myself.

• When I started designing this piece I figured that I wanted all shapes and sizes to be able to wear such a garment.  I think that the cut of the sweetheart neckline with the boning of the bodice complements the collarbones, and gives a slimming effect with the swirling of the already busy pattern.  I just wanted to create a garment that complements any body who'd want to purchase and wears this.

• This style of dress can be worn for multiple occasions.  I originally thought that the dress alone could be paired with light accessories, bright flats or pumps for a light summer brunch, or for a summer soiree a cardigan and belt could be added.  I think that the simplicity of the cut, with the busy zig-zag pattern is an easy look for any occasion, any time of day.

• In general I love very cultured places, my greek heritage has always been a huge thing that I stand behind.  I also love the classic, elegant look of the 40s, and 50s woman, but I also love the business silhouette of the 30s woman.  I like a strong, independent, elegant, yet sexy, woman.  I'm also a huge fan of Rodarte, Marchesa, Elie Saab, Valentino, Chloe, Michael Kors, Balenciaga, and many more. I love the little intricate embellishments that give detail to pieces.  I'm an advocate for sparkle, I think that theres a fine line between gaudy and acceptable embellishments, you just need to know when you cross that.  Lastly, I love the elegance of ballet.  Beautifully dressed dancers gracing the stage in intricately sculpted tutus inspires me a great deal.

• For this past year I've been loving the trend of a bold lip. Dark plum, wine, or bright red, I like how with one piece of make-up you can totally transform a look.  Also, I love the collared botton-ups, flowy maxi skirts, big outerwear, and cut outs. 

• I don't know if I can necessarily name a style icon that I look to.  Felicity Jones', Rachel Zoe's, Olivia Palermo's, Jennifer Lawrence, and Mary-Kate Olsen's personal style is some of my favorites.  I like the range that these have because fashion is all about changing your look for what you're mood.  You don't wake up with the same feeling everyday so I think that it's a way of shaping what you want to feel, and what you want to portray.

• My sole dream is to become a fashion designer, rather that, be under another name or a name of my own, I'd like to provide pieces with my aesthetic.  I hope to move to a bigger city, design either ballet costumes, wedding dresses, red carpet garments, or every day pieces, I'd just like to be in the thick of it all.  Any shape or form of fashion, I would love to be in it.

• Since I go to an art school in an artsy city such as Grand Rapids, I'm around a lot of art.  I believe that paintings, and installations are a huge influence on my designs.  After taking an art history class my eyes were opened, and I had an appreciation for more artwork from back then than I ever have.  Also watching fashion shows, and jewelry lets me indulge in my more "sparkly, semi-gaudy" side.  I think music and nature are key parts in creating creative juices.  I think the crisp clean outdoors and classic piano, or folk music really help me.  If it's got a banjo, I'm in.

• I think that the swatch of fabric was a huge part in inspiring my design.  Since the dress was going to be made out of that cotton fabric I thought about the way it'll move, and the way that no other fabric was going to be used.  The whole idea of this simplistic a-line, sweetheart neckline dress was to showcase the zig-zag pattern that ModCloth showcased.

They also sent me some photographs... gosh dang, I'm so excited, plus I'm getting my check in the mail very soon, because at the moment I'm surviving off of $14 in my bank account.

This is the first prototype, so they're making adjustments, I can't wait to receive one of my own.