Garments
Fashion has always been apart of my life. From childhood, sewing in a classroom at Grandparents University at UW Madison, to today. My love and passion for fashion has never faded. Whether it be my interest in fashion in terms of construction, art, history, therapy, or individuality, it is a part of who I am. Over my past 4 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, my proudest work lies within my fashion designs.
Senior Thesis: Beautiful Fool
Titled “Beautiful Fool” | April 2024
Senior Thesis — Gallery Installment & Presentation
Beautiful Fool, the three piece hand beaded collection is inspired by the novel Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Canto. Drawing inspiration from history, culture, film and literature, this collection is a culmination of my design work over the past four years,
Flapper women of the 1920s broke societal norms, embraced independence and were completely unconventional. Even so, their rights were restricted, usually due to their marital status. Beautiful Foo/ is a collection meant to pull viewers into the 1920s, fully stepping into an era, frozen in time. I focused on symbolically advocating for the flapper, her rights, and for female independence. Through embroidery, beading and construction, Beautiful Fool shows firsthand the visual restrictions and limitations that women faced in this time period, specifically on their wedding day. Each different wedding dress holds many different details, bringing context to the historical time period, metaphorically and constructionally.
Beautiful Fool inspires, invokes, and educates through an emotional viewing experience, helping viewers understand the life of a woman in the 1920s without the rights that we have
It’ll Save Your Life
Titled “Listen to Fleetwood Mac: It’ll Save Your Life” | November 2024
Design Concept Prompt: Create a garment inspired by the word freedom, and include fabric & pattern manipulation
The word freedom can be translated into many difference things, but I wanted to interpret this prompt as freedom of the body and the freedom of movement. I looked to the personalities of both Stevie Nicks & Daisy Jones when creating this garment, and I wanted to embody the magnitude of their stage presence: total freedom
Androgyny
Titled “Androgyny” | December 2024
Design Concept Prompt: Create a garment based on the intersection of your personal activism, and incorporate construction elements from past design projects
When thinking of my personal activism, I was focused on the idea of gendered clothing and breaking barriers within fashion, as well as the idea of ending over consumption, and sustainability. I decided to intersect my activism by using second hand fabrics as my materials. I designed these garments based on traditional gendered pieces: the sports coat and skirt. To be worn together or separate, this collection represents that clothing has no gender, and that new garments can still be made sustainably.
Let’s Dance!
Titled “Lets Dance” | February 2023
Design Concept Prompt: Use three pre-owned or thrifted garments, and incorporate elements into a newly designed garment through pattern making
When designing this piece, I wanted to embrace a carefree, “dancing” spirit, a dress that resembles history and movement. I focused on up cycling these thrifted garments into something real and wearable, being sure not to make my piece look mended, or “fixed”
1046
Titled “1046” | April 2023
Design Concept Prompt: Create a garment inspired by any architecture, specifically a structure or building, and use pattern making & draping techniques
The Chrysler Building in New York City (standing at 1,046 ft tall) is a huge inspiration to me, especially due to its history and design elements. The Art Deco elements on the building have always caught my eye, so I decided to use its elements as inspiration for my design. By draping the fabric, I was able to recreate structural and design aspects from the building into the garment
Imprints From The People of My Life
Titled “Imprints From The People in My Life” | November 2024
Design Concept Prompt: Create a garment based on the word “hands.” Incorporate fabric manipulation and and pattern making
The prompt word “hands” felt very literal to me, and I wanted to metaphorically create a garment in which hands have altered it. To break out of my traditional design aesthetics, I wanted to design something a bit different, a juxtaposition. I burned the collar to created the idea of being burned around the neck— somewhere hands could touch you. I delicately applied lace around the hips, creating the idea of a soft touch of the hand.