Self portrait

You never realize how much time you don't have to actually complete a project or procrastinate, until that project is due and due soon! Myself, and I think many others have fallen victim to this before, but i'm determined to stay ahead of the game through planning and preparation.   

The deliberating processes have officially come to an end and it is time to start physically creating my collection. As I continue to meditate on my concepts, inspiration and vision for this collection, i'm beginning to realize how much of myself (beliefs, characteristics, style, personality, etc.) are being carefully crafted through my garments. I'd call it a self-portrait.

Week 3: Diving In

Yes! We're past all of the deliberation and refinement (although I suspect refining will be an ongoing process). Finally time to start our capstone pieces.

The first look I want to make is a handknit jumpsuit with a hand-quilted work shirt. I'm starting with the most intensive knit piece so that I can get it out of the way. I sourced yarn from the Michigan Fiber Studio here in Eastown-- I found this gorgeous alpaca yarn from a farm in Caledonia that I'm using for the jumpsuit.
I'm using undyed wool yarn for the jumpsuit and undyed cotton for the work shirt so that I can dye both pieces myself. Next week I'll experiment with dyeing and testing different swatches, but this week it's all about getting this jumpsuit done!!!

REALizations

As I continue to think more and more in depth into the conceptual details of my capstone collection, I have been able to gain more clarity in myself as a designer. At first I believed my concept was superficial, and I struggled to find a real meaning behind it. I think I dug deep enough to the root - that being my own confidence.. or lack there of. For as long as I can remember I have struggled greatly with my self esteem. I have been in and out of therapy for years, constantly blaming myself for the confidence I never believed I had. This final showcase of my work as a college student is a bold statement of the persona I have always longed and wished to have. Perhaps this collection is the inner me finally coming out to exude her strong confidence to the world. This might be the closest I've come to overcoming the issues I've held onto for so long with my own image. It feels good, really good.  

Confidence is contagious, come and catch it.

xoxo, L 

~ Watch me work ~

I'm finally turning my thoughts and ideas into a tactile reality! Earlier today I bought some materials for my first look. Time is a valuable luxury and I don't intend on wasting it this semester. 

The piece I just began working on is a type of chainmail-dress overlay which will be worn over a leotard and then underneath a jacket. It's made out of giant safety pins and jump rings. I'm really digging the look of it so far, I'm excited to see how it turns out, wish me luck!

Don't forget to conquer from within my loves. 

xoxo, L

Choosing the final looks

As fashion designers one very important thing that we've all learned to take in is criticism. The freedom of creation has its pros and cons and can put us in a vulnerable state. My cohorts went over our collections today and discussed what we can do to really appeal to niche markets or further develop our collections to present who we really are as designers. It is an visceral process, that includes deep thought and emotion.I have a feeling that this years show is going to be strong and one to look out for. Til next week folks.

 

Its go time

Our final developing stages are coming to an end. My cohorts and I are diligently working towards helping one another, to highlight our strengths as designers and show our best work through critique and thorough discussion.  I appreciate these class meetings because we are able to continually think critically and creatively, during the developing and execution stages of our collections. Each designer has been given a critical feedback sheet from all participating students in the final capstone showing course and we will discuss out thoughts and feedback with one another. Its go time! 

Make it count!

THIS IS IT, the end is near! My cohorts and I, have finally made it to the final senior capstone collection showing, where we will all be continuing to develop and in conclusion showing a culmination of our college work to students, faculty, friends and family.  This should be an exciting semester.  Since Fall 2016, I have been working tirelessly to develop a collection that both show my artistic and unique abilities as an artist and a designer.  I want my vision to be clear and precise in the execution of my garments.  Although this will be a challenging last semester, i'm willing to put the work in to produce some fabulous garments!

Get to Work!!

Thursday had us going over the feedback we wrote for everyone during Tuesday's class. We worked through some kinks and clarified our visions. All in all very helpful! I started making my capstone calendar last night and it hit me just how much I'll have to work in order to execute these 6 looks.... an overwhelming realization!

I've started getting all of my materials together.. Mercerized cotton thread, organic cotton, and Michigan wool yarn.. Last night I began knitting the romper for my first ensemble (which I'll hopefully be making in tandem with my second....)

Really proud of everyone in our little group. I think we're going to have an incredible show! LET'S GET TO WORK.

Aiming for the stars

It's hard to believe I'm just months away from the end of my college career. These three months are going to be full of blood, sweat, tears, pin pricks, ripped seams and HARD work. I wish I could fast forward to the capstone show to see my work adorning the models, in motion. I'm so excited!

I feel ready.. I think. As I finalize on my final collection plans, I think that my biggest struggle has been narrowing down all the fine details and figuring out what looks best together. I want everything to be perfect, but I also must be realistic. 

My classmates and I have worked tirelessly to hone in on our brand, our aesthetic, what work best represents who we are as designers, and how far we've come in the fashion studies program. I'd like to say the entire experience thus far has been truly life changing for me. The end of this semester is going to be bittersweet as we embark onto bigger things, whatever they may be. 

Shine bright & Shoot high. 

xoxo, L

Closing in on Capstone: week one

Capstone is something that embodies who we are as designers, fine artists, and human beings. It is looking into the very core of our ideas and emotions and pulling them from pen to paper to fabrications and threads. During the first week of Capstone we must come to a conclusion where we will decide which final three or more looks will be made.

Our Cohort is small, yet it is comprised of a multitude of different skill sets and creative ideas that stand strong alone or together making us a force to be reckoned with. Our ideas reflect who we are as designers and a brand us. Branding oneself is not a narrow-minded task, it takes a lot of thought and energy. It means putting oneself out there for praise and criticism. Fashion today is a vast web of styles, colors, trends, and silhouettes; which makes it vital to create a brand that can be individualized. It is important that this Capstone has the foundation to stand as a brand, and unfold the story of who we really are.

Week 2 (Should've Been 1) : The Last Bits of Refining the Collection

We're all a little behind schedule because of the snow day.. double post coming this week.

Today we pulled out all of our sketches and materials that we made for Professional Practices. A lot of us have been stewing in our ideas and needed a break to be able to come back to them with fresh eyes.

I've changed up my designs a little... I had a bit of a meltdown when I initially presented my sketches and wasn't super happy with the final sketches that everyone chose for me. I think it came mostly from some insecurity with my actual ability to sketch and convey what I meant to design... Some general frustration with being misunderstood. Still unsure if the class understands my direction, so I know there are some definite kinks to work out.

We went around the room today and wrote up sort of a mini-review of what we saw and got from each other's sketches and collection directions... Including both what others' visions of our collections were and what we ACTUALLY see in each others' collections.. I haven't received my reviews yet, but I know I'm going to have to make some final and deliberate edits to my collection based on what I read...

Til Thursday!