After going through pictures, I thought I would share a little more of the day before the show and on the runway, ENJOY!
Time to Show-Off Pics!
“Twelve” Senior Fashion Show, “Eleven designers and One show.”
A year has gone by since planning began and all the tears and careful preparation payed off! My line was ready to go, I had checked off everything on my list and packed everything in my studio for that “just in case” moment. I had already gone to every store to perfectly accessorize my line and was excited to see everything come together.
The first of two shows that night was emotional, I am grateful to have shared this with my family and friends. By the second show, I was excited and having more fun - my jitters were gone. I had proven to myself that I could do this and was proud to show it to the world.
Bespoke Hair Artisans did a beautiful job in hair and makeup (a special thanks to Haley and Melissa). Guppy Studios took these great photos and was able to capture the strength, youth, and confidence of each look and model.
Without any more delay here is my Senior Line …
Look 1:
This princess seam tank dress features hand dyed linen and small pleats radiating around the neckline.
Model: Katie Mackereth
Shoes: Target
Jewelry: Francesca’s
Look 2:
The top is made of soft light weight satin and translucent cotton voile. This perfectly fit pencil skirt with two front pockets is a cotton sateen blend with MY DESIGN PRINTED on it.
Model: Melissa Benedict
Fabric printed by: spoonflower.com
Shoes: Heartbreakers
Jewelry: Francesca’s
Look 3:
This low draped chiffon cowl back tank is completely transparent in the back and has a light weight satin underlay in the front. The lace bandeau bra is an added surprise under the top. These gorgeous pants are made of a light weight wool with a heathered pink surface.
Model: Carrie Rahm
Shoes: DSW
Belt: J Crew
Jewelry: Francesca’s
Look 4:
This top has two contrasting crepe satin fabrics at the shoulders with pleats radiating around the neck line. The maxi skirt is a cotton silk blend with MY DESIGN PRINTED on it!
I was lucky enough to have two beautiful models for this look, so I thought I would share both of their pictures!
Model: (Top) Shannon Hoelzel (Bottom) Elizabeth Davelaar
Fabric printed by: spoonflower.com
Shoes: (Top) DSW (Bottom) Target
Belt: J Crew
Jewelry: Francesca’s
Finale… But I am not done, just beginning!
This is my self made Bias-Facings-Cutting-Pattern-Board. I need a lot of fairly long facings cut on the bias to finish some edges. And my niece got a new Cozy Coupe for Christmas so I got a large box; that I flattened and am using as a cutting surface. I measured out the width of the bias pieces and drew the pattern directly on the cardboard. I think it works out pretty well!
Oh as a bonus, I also learned that cutting chiffon with a rotary tool is more effective than scissors.
My To-Do List:
Look 1
-Take in fullness at top/ let out fullness on bottom from fitting
-Repeat for Lining
-Sew in Lining
-Hem
*Jewelry Accessories
*Nylons
Look 2
-Re-sew top in white (recently learned that in different lighting the top changes color)
*Fitting to adjust back seam
*Sew in Bias Facings
*Jewelry Accessories
*Nylons
*Bra
Look 3
-Add underlay to Cowl Tank (cami is out)
-Sew in Bias Facings
-Hem Top
-Finish hand-stitching waistband (3/4 done, my hands needed a break)
*Hem Pants & Belt Loops
*Jewelry Accessories
*Shoes
*Bra
*Belt
Look 4
-Hem Top
*Exchange belt for smaller size
-For Final Review
*Before Fashion Show
Ok, so it isn’t as bad as it seems… Average 2-2.5 hours per look (not including shopping but I have a couple weeks for that). Do-able.
Had the first shoot for the Look Book. Shannon looked amazing and was great in front of the camera. The green looks great on her. I was really precise while I was measuring the hem for her skirt - and it was PERFECT! I have to admit, I teared up a little.
Model Rehearsals
This year we, as a class, are very active in getting our models ready for the runway. We have a Runway Coach, Dustin, that is training the girls. I am very grateful he is donating so much time for us, especially since I decided to use untrained girls to walk in my clothes. He is firm but not mean. He shares his insight and explains with videos what professional models are doing. I am learning a lot as well.
This past week we reserved space in a dance studio so the girls could see their walks. This was really beneficial and I saw improvement in one night! Each practice they are getting more confident.
There are two more regular rehearsals and then one last rehearsal the night before the show in the real space. I think I will see nervousness coming out that night. I am not sure who will be more anxious me or them?
In the design process, my pattern originally started very literal with my inspiration of flowers and transformed into an implied and more modern sketch of the flower. Paying very close attention in a class, I started to doodle. This motif appeared on my paper. Then, I took that design and made it into an Illustrator file. From single motif, I altered and repeated it creating 2 fabrics for my line.
The company I chose to do the printing did not have the sheer fabric I was looking for in the early stages of design. So I changed the skirt in Look 4 from 2 layers to 1 but kept the original concept and applied this to the design of the fabric.
