Capstone // Final Blog Post // Coming Up Roses

On the evening of April 13th, Kendall's Fashion Studies program presented the Senior's Capstone collections at the second annual Capstone Fashion Show event, held at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. The night was beautiful, the venue was magical, and the energy was electrifying.

Being a senior, this event was the cherry on top of a triumphal senior year at Kendall College of Art & Design. Having my hard work displayed was both an honor and a privilege. Below I have attached photos taken throughout the event, that I feel encompass the vibes of the evening, with a focus on my collection, "Coming Up Roses." 

Show programs and decor placed around the Downtown Market. Photo by Matt Gubancsik.

My design board printed on cloth that hung in the Downtown Market. Photo by Matt Gubancsik.

My collection and I, taken by Ian Pokriefka Photography, before my models walked the runway. Models from left to right: Allyson, myself, Maddie May, and Shelby.

Allyson modeling one of my looks. Photo by Ian Pokriefka Photography.

Model Maddie May posing in one of my looks before walking the runway. Photo by Ian Pokriefka Photography.

Shelby, posing in one of my garments. Photo by Ian Pokriefka Photography.

Back detail. Modeled by Shelby. Photo by Ian Pokriefka Photography.

Back detail in action. Modeled by Shelby. Photo by Devin Weber.

Gown modeled by Allyson. Photo by Devin Weber.

Gown modeled by Allyson. Photo by Devin Weber.

Allyson posing. Photo by Matt Gubancsik.

Photo by Matt Gubancsik.

Photo by Matt Gubancsik.

Walking with my collection. Photo by Devin Weber.

Posing with my collection, "Coming Up Roses," after the show. Photo by Matt Gubancsik.

I hope you enjoyed this exclusive peak into the Fashion Studies Second Annual Capstone Fashion Show. The night was magical and went by in the blink of an eye. I couldn't be more thrilled with the presentation, turnout as well as the abundance of love and creativity in the air.

Thank you for following my journey throughout my Capstone class. If you would like to contact me, my email address is RoseStoneDesigns@gmail.com.

Best Wishes to All,

Rose Stone

Fashion Isn't Pretty

It’s April 13^th, 2016 at 7:26pm- my nerves are high and my adrenaline is pumping. I am about to start the event that I, along side my dream team of fashion producers, have waited all semester for. I take a deep breath and pick up the microphone. I walk down the long atrium hallway and enter the Green House for the first speech. I look to my left and see Lori, smiling as always, I look back at the audience and just before I start to talk a thought rolls through my mind…”We did it, we really did it.”

I can say with confidence, that fashion isn’t pretty. Fashion is wrong makeup on models and Band-Aids on heels.  Fashion is raw and uncensored- it’s the perfect amount of control and lost control. Fashion is rolling with the punches and 100% of the time it’s making quick decisions and just MAKING IT WORK.

The ladies and gentlemen behind the scenes of a fashion show, like the one the KCAD Fashion Show Production class put on, work really, really hard to hide the madness. Being backstage at the Unearth Fashion Show was incredible. Hair and makeup were a mess of scheduled models and missing hairdressers, designers were late and even showing up with unfinished garments- but the show must go on.   

Fashion is hard work and dedication. Fashion is bleeding fingers and white body suits. Fashion is not for the weak of mind or body. Fashion isn’t pretty, and it isn’t for everybody- KCAD Fashion Studies; do you dare?

Success

And that's a wrap

     Last Wednesday, April 13th was the big reveal. The final show, the peak of our college careers. We were able to showcase our designs and it was an incredible experience like no other. I couldn't eat all night from how nervous and excited I was! All of the models were incredible and looked amazing in what I made. The public's reception of my collection was amazing, I got a lot of support, a few dirty looks and a lot of people in awe. I couldn't be more happy, proud, and excited that I made it this far without dropping out!

  

Cleanup Phase

Post Fashion Show, there are a lot of loose ends to tie up and a lot of things to be handed in/handled. I am completely exhausted after planning and participating in the Capstone Show- I never realized how much work this semester would entail and how many details went in to planning our Fashion Show.

We handled all aspects of the show from contacting venues, planning hair/makeup, food for models and volunteers, timing for all of the runway walks and décor.

Now it’s “cleanup” time. We will be having final critiques with mentors and Lori over the next week, and handing in all pattern, prototypes and final garments in order to wrap up this semester.

Two weeks until I walk across a stage and receive my diploma. Unreal.

Capstone // Blog Thirteen

Our Capstone show was a success! 

Below I have attached the links to the UnEarth Facebook page as well as a link to KCAD's SmugMug page, where you can find photos of the show. 

https://www.facebook.com/KCADunearth/

https://kcad.smugmug.com/Events/UN-EARTH-Capstone-Fashion-Show/
 

I will post a more detailed blog of how the show went later this week!

- Rose Stone

Process

          Process

Batik: Cracking the wax.

Basting

Sewing : Permit back stitch 

Pleating: Making the pleat

 

Pleating: Pressing the pleat

 Pleating: Finished product

Capstone // Week Twelve

Today we had our final critique on all three of our garments/ensembles! This week/weekend will consist of fittings with our models for the show, to ensure a perfect fit.

Below I have attached a sneak peak of my design boards that will be printed on cloth and hung at the Fashion Show. 

"It's all happening"

- Rose Stone

Eight Days

Final reveal for our third look was today.. it turned out to be more of an in-progress day and all the designers are in "game-mode" after all the feed back.

Questions that still remain: 

1. Where are my models?! Some have escaped to tropical places for spring break and I am feeling a little stressed by that.

2. Will I be 100% finished by Thursday for final meetings with my models? 

3. Where did the time go?

4. How is this all going to play out the day of the show?

Excited, overwhelmed and seeing the light at the end of this journey. 

Eight Days.