“FADED MEMORIES” 

One of my biggest inspirations and the most influential part of my design process are my memories. To me, my memories represent a sense of peace, a time where I can look back and see how instrumental moments in my life were. Reflecting on what once was, invites feelings of nostalgia. Nostalgia is what drives me to create. I hope to recreate a sense of reflection through this collection that invites others to celebrate the beauty and pain of nostalgia. I want people to remember my work, not just as an article of clothing, or a colored blur in their mind, but as a true emotion, as a time of comfort.

When I was younger, I suffered severe attachment anxiety from my mother. I was afraid to leave her side. I would hold onto things that reminded me of her as a way to find peace.  I can remember watching her get ready for her day, feeling completely helpless. I was always drawn to soft textures as a way to help calm me. I would grasp onto things, like her fur coat, or her favorite sweater. When she would leave, I would cry into my most treasured blanket and twirl the soft, worn out cotton lace trim between my fingers. With the idea of seeking comfort during severe times, I have chosen to create a collection that will create the essence of a comforting memory that one can take with them in times of anxiety. 

PROCESS

Textile Design

I began my design process with looking at old photographs of my friends and family. I then explored how I could literally incporporate these memories into my work. Taking some of the most beloved photographs, I worked at blurring and distorting them, until they became this sort of  "faded memory” that could be interpreted by others - not only myself. I then printed these onto various types of fabrics, including silk organza, silk charmeuse, silk georgette, cottons shirting, linens, etc. My favorites were the memories printed on silk because of the fluidity and movement it gave to the print.  

Fabrics

Suffering from attachment anxiety at a very young age, I held onto soft materials for comfort. I can remember petting my mothers fox fur coat before she would put it on to leave. Petting the fur gave me a feeling of calmness. I had a quilted blanket as a child which had a cotton lace trim. I remember twirling the soft lace between my fingers to ease my worry. With these soft textures in mind,  I have decided to create using some of the best quality of fine fabrics, like those which comforted me in times of anxiety. Throughout the collection, you will see fine soft fabrics, like virgin wool, plush faux fur, printed viscose, chunky wool yarns and soft cottons.

Oversized Silhouettes

I constantly find myself playing with shape. For this collection, I am inspired by oversized silhouttes, which mimics a child playing dress up in their parents closets; something I enjoyed doing as a child. Again, that wrapping myself up in my parents clothing helped me to hide and find comfort. Like the security blanket you wish you could leave home with, these oversized silhouettes allow protection for the wearer. 

Fittings

Press