Crystal Garden: Signature Collection
Crystal Garden is a collection that I designed as part of the fashion design capstone course at UC Davis. Students in the signature collection class were asked to create a three look collection of our choice which would be presented in a virtual fashion show at the end of the quarter. Typically, the annual fashion show is held in person during the UC Davis Picnic Day. However, due to the pandemic, the 2021 fashion show was pre-recorded and streamed online.
My collection, titled Crystal Garden, depicts the romantic playfulness of spring. The looks incorporate a slight Eastern influence and layers of floral elements. While at home during the pandemic, I rediscovered the wonders of nature, and I wanted to celebrate the brighter aspects in our lives. My collection captures the fantasy and beauty of springtime in fun, elegant, and wearable garments.
Inspiration
I was strongly inspired by nature and springtime. I also wanted to add a feature of fantasy and exaggeration to my collection to draw people away from the distressing, static condition of the times. Taking that idea, I chose to play with light and the contrast between sheer and opaque layers. Colors were centered around bright pinks and greens, mixed in layers with different levels of translucence. To create an air of fantasy and drama, I wanted the silhouettes of the collection to be structural and come off the body, generating volume and dimension. Each look includes an element of 3D flowers that were individually cut, burned, and hand sewn onto the garment.
Process
For each look, I began by draping shapes on a dress form to play around with how the garment would lay on the body. Since most of the fabric was see-through, I felt that volume was important to ensure visibility and depict the movement of nature. I also paid close attention to any closures and seams on the see-through material, as it would be more delicate and conspicuous.
Filming
Creating a fashion film for my collection was a first for me. When designing my collection, I considered the fact that it would be conveyed through the medium of video rather than an in-person runway, which contributed to the overall design of the garments. The premise for my film revolves around three friends going on a picnic. The mood is bright, youthful, and romantic. I wanted to convey the connection to nature and the joy that we are surrounded by everyday.
