Spring Showcase 2011

This past weekend was Appalachian State University's Annual Spring Showcase!  The showcase is a fashion show put on my the fashion merchandising and design students here at ASU.  This year's catwalk was centered around a "Peacock" theme.  Not all designers chose to incorporate the the theme in their work-- most projects are already underway before a theme is ever decided.  But hey, we have to have a cohesive idea for decorations right?  This showcase was my second fashion show, but my first time modeling.  I didn't fall, so I guess it was a job well done. 

My work for the showcase began last summer.  I simply got bored one day and decided to put my first dressform (that a gracious friend gave to me) to work with a draped skirt design.  I took a floral printed cotton and started pinning.  Since I have never been taught draping skills, I was pleasantly surprised that the finished product was not only wearable, but (in my opinion) cute too!

After my initial skirt success I decided I wanted to make a more fitted skirt using a drafted pattern.  The central ideas for this skirt are simple, quick, and easy to wear.  Untimately, I was hoping to find a staple design for my Etsy page.  I have several made in different fabrications, but they are not posted to my site yet so I can't say for certain the level success for this design.  What do you think?

The next set in my designs is a mini collection of victorian-era-architecture inspired pocket tees and tanks.  This inspiration grew from a 8x14 strip of silk I created and fell in love with.  This original strip is now the pocket for the brown key-tank.  To start, this project was a pile of white cotton and silk.  Yes, I hand-dyed all the fabric.  Then, I printed them using stamps I designed & cut.  The end product was actually a final project for a textile design class this past fall semester.  After learning all of the dying and printing techniques I have a much greater appreciation for fiber artists (especially ones that dye anything red or brown).  

I love rompers, but I don't own a single one.  I've tried on plenty, but I'm never happy with how any of them fit.  So why not DIY?  This particular design came from a collection of sketches required for class and it turned into the pink silk romper.  I used pattern drafting techniques to achieve the overall look.  

No collection is complete without a classic dress.  The concept behind this particular dress is balance.  You can apply that however you would like.  This dress is meant to be sexy without revealing too much.  The key is leaving something left to be desired, right?  I used the draping technique to pattern this dress.   There were times I wanted to rip it apart and toss the pieces out the window-- when this happened I would simply ignore it for at least 24 hours.  In the end, it was well worth it.  As it usually is.

And a huge thank you to my lovely models & friends!!