“Thank You Mood”

Since my last post I have made changes to my patterns and prototypes. I am happy with the fit of the prototypes and started constructing the dress in my final fabric. I hope to have the dress and crop top completed by this weekend. The dress will be sewn with French seams and an all-in-one facing to enclose the armhole seams and neck hole seams. I am still working on my samples for the surface embellishment, which will be the last thing I attach to the dress. Then on to look number two!

I also have all my final fabrics, which I ordered from Mood in New York… “Thank you mood”!  My working board is up in our classroom; which displays my inspiration photos, fabric swatches, target market, final illustrations and technical flats. I am working on finalizing my hair and make-up inspiration pages and my accessories and props page, which I will also hang up as well.

Until next week… have a happy weekend!

Mackenzie Santamour

Look One Prototypes

The three garment prototypes of my first look are completed! I am finishing up making adjustments to my patterns and starting to cut out each garment in the final fabrics.

The biggest adjustments that I had to make were to the denim shorts. I patterned them off of my two-dart woven sloper, and took out the darts. The fullness from the dart was added to hem. I want them to be more fitted down the leg, but I wanted to wait to see how much to take in based on the prototype. However, the shorts ended up being big around the waistband. I did shorten them from the natural waistline to make them low rise shorts. For some reason, the shorts ended up being much bigger than the form. So I have adjusted the pattern by taking an inch in from the waist on each side, and tailoring them down to them.

I have started cutting them out and will start adding flowers, cut from a floral spacer mesh, as applique.

Patterns & Prototypes_

The process of pattern making has begun. I am primarily focusing on just one look for now, which is a knit dress with a crop top over it. I am working hard on perfecting measurements on the pattern so it fits the model well.  The dress will also have a surface embellishment that I am creating myself, which I will begin samples of this weekend. I am excited to start those samples, as I have never done this method before.  The surface embellishment was inspired by the human cerebral cortex and pyramidal neurons found in the brain.

Follow me on my journey,

Mackenzie Santamour

Look One: beginning stage

With patterns started, I'm continuing to dive into my capstone collection. I have started prototyping the garments of my first look of the collection. I'm trying to use fabrics that are very similar in stretch, thickness, and drape to the final fabrics they will be made in. 

Below, is the illustration of this look, and is The Little Mermaid themed look of my collection. It includes a jacket with a unique loosely woven, wool blend. I'm very excited about this fabric being made into a jacket, because of the texture it will add to collection. Plus, it adds a Chanel quality to the jacket. Ariel will be embroidered on the back to add a surprise when the model turns, and to show off the customer’s love of The Little Mermaid. 

This look also includes my first time making denim shorts. I'm trying to use similar construction usually seen in jeans. This garment will be my first time doing a fly zipper. I put the zipper in my prototype of the shorts to practice it before the final. 

I can't wait to see my looks start coming to life! 

2018 Capstone Show:  Common Ground
Fashion Show Positions:

Co-Directors (2) - McKenzie Stegmeier & Anna Matelski
Stage Manager - Meaghan Newhouse
Communications/Public Relations (2) - Nicole Bollnow & Lizzie Russell
Merchandise Coordinators (2) - Mackenzie Santamour & Andrew Taylor
Model Coordinators (2)  -Marissa Duff & Markiesha Weaver
Finance Coordinator - Ashley Danner
Exhibition Manager - D. Cavinder

Capstone Development: Day 1

Hello everyone,

even though this blogging exercise is meant to show the process and idealizations for my capstone. I figured it's best to introduce myself first. I am currently a senior at KCAD or Kendall Collage of Art and Design. It is here that I am studying and majoring in the field of fashion studies. At Kendall, I have touched everything from fabricating a scaled size mock up of a 3d printed bodice, to thermoforming plastic sheets into a corset type garment, to just innovative pattern making. I am drawn to weird materials and innovative techniques (in terms of production.) If anything, I hope to extend these interests into my final collection as well. If this kind of thinking/fashion interests you, please feel free to keep up with with my future blog posts. There will be one released every week until the show in April.

Best,

Andrew Taylor

Starting Line_

My head is in the game! 

I am feeling motivated and ready to produce a collection worthy of my years of schooling and design aesthetic. I have titled my collection “Chronic”. Chronic is a Fall/Winter sportswear collection; focusing on elevating sportswear that can be worn as everyday wear. Chronic is inspired from the struggle of living with chronic migraines for three plus years. While this inspiration is both physical and emotional, I have chosen to take it as more of a literal inspiration throughout my collection. Through research on migraines and brain function I was inspired by many parts of the brain including nerve endings and neurons. My daily migraines impacted my life in every way and often I was not able to create; I am pushing through and hope to use this as motivation to overcome. I hope to inspire others to push through their struggles and follow their dreams.

Aspire to Inspire,

Stay tuned for more!

Mackenzie Santamour

Capstone Begins!

            

           And so it begins! This week is the first week of my final semester! I am excited to bring my senior collection to life. My collection, Main Street U.S.A. is a celebration of the freedom of Disney and NYC street style. We should never be afraid to express ourselves, and the things we love. The collection encourages everyone to release their inner child and the joy they feel while watching their favorite princess movie. It pushes Disney style to something other than a print on a shirt. These garments allow for Disney fans to flaunt their favorite princess in a fashion forward, exciting way that will catch people’s attention. Whether it’s on the streets of New York City or down Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom this Mouseketeer stands out like no other.

            Last semester during the design phase, I ended up designed eight ensembles. These eight designs are what I will be choosing from to make the three required ensembles to be showcased in the capstone fashion show in April. Though I would like to make all eight, the amount of surface embellishment that makes these garments special will be time-consuming.

Fortunately, last semester I was able to create one look during another class. Now, I am racing into my other patterns! I was able to get patterns for four garments done over winter break, and have my pencil in hand to pattern away.