Academic
Mad for the 1950s Collection
An eight-piece evening wear collection inspired by 1950s silhouettes and modern graphic prints. Features full skirts, structured bodices, and original textile designs in a chartreuse, grey, and black palette. Shown on the runway at Kent State University.
The Challenge
Design an eight-piece evening wear collection that bridges 1950s silhouettes with contemporary graphic sensibility — vintage structure with modern visual energy.
Inspiration
The sculptural elegance of 1950s fashion — full skirts, nipped waists, structured bodices. But rather than recreating the era's florals and pastels, I wanted to push the silhouettes into a bolder, more graphic direction.
Design Development
Each print was designed from scratch, translating geometric and organic motifs into fresh patterns. The chartreuse, grey, and black palette emerged from testing which colors would emphasize the graphic quality while maintaining formal elegance.
Construction
Eight pieces showcasing boned bodices, full circle skirts, and precise pattern matching across seams. Construction required careful planning to maintain print continuity at every seam line.
The Result
The complete collection was shown on the runway at Kent State University — a culmination of design, textile development, and construction coming together under show conditions.
Skills
Gallery
