FS2 Crescendo: That's A Wrap!

It has been almost two weeks since Crescendo has wrapped up and everyone is still reeling! The show could not have gone any better and seeing everything put together was truly a dream. It was amazing to show perspective students, faculty, industry insiders, and Hall of Fame inductee Josie Natori all the talent the Fashion School has. Thank you to everyone who attended the event!

We can't wait to see you at next year's show!

Please check out the photos from the Friday and Saturday shows on Facebook!

Senior Designer Spotlight: Lizz Henrich

Name: Lizz Henrich

Degree: BFA

FS²: Where do you find inspiration?

Lizz Henrich: I pull a lot of inspiration from other people's occupations and explore how I can relate those to the fashion industry. Doctors, engineers and scientists for example. For my senior collection, I looked at Gadgeteers from Steampunk and how I could apply their work to design.

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

LH: My grandmother taught me how to sew and draw at a young age and it just took off from there!

FS²: How is your personal style reflected in your work?

LH: My personal style is a mix of everything, honestly! Typically something oversized baggy and with a hint of grunge. Also, dark colors and lack of prints are similar to my own style. I use a lot of fullness which I think pulls from my love of oversized garments.

FS²: Music you listen to while working?

LH: The "Creativity Boost" playlist on Spotify.

FS²: Favorite class you've taken at The Fashion School?

LH: Fashion TechStyle Lab-- I loved learning about and playing with all the great equipment we have at The Fashion School.

FS²: What are you most proud of?

LH: I'm most proud of me Senior Collection as a whole, but within that, my long vest. Sewing together like a puzzle with no conventional seaming-- each corner was faced with organza, then hand sewn on the machine.

FS²: Did you study abroad? If so, how has that influenced your designs?

LH: Yes! I went to Florence, Italy in the fall of my junior year-- THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. It has absolutely influenced my work. If you are debating to go... GO GO GO!!

Senior Designer Spotlight: Ana White

Name: Ana White

Degree: BFA

FS²: First piece you ever made?

Ana White: In all honesty, probably the children’s outfit in Basics of Apparel Construction! (Shout-out to Mrs. James for not failing me)

FS²: Where have you interned?

AW: I interned full time at Derek Lam for 4 months in NYC last summer and loved it!

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

AW: My mom used to buy me fashion magazines when I was probably in the 5^th or 6^th grade, and I became obsessed with the clothing and pictures. It kind of just grew from there as I went into high school!

FS²: How is your personal style reflected in your work?

AW: Because I like cleaner, more modern lines, I tend to subconsciously design around that. Even if there’s print or surface detail, you’ll find the majority of my collections have fairly simple silhouettes, which is something I love.

FS²: Favorite snack while working?

AW: Unfortunately for my figure: Wendy’s. Great for the soul, not for the body.

FS²: Most challenging part of being a design student?

AW: Time management and the overall commitment. I’ve definitely had a few sad weekends watching my friends go out and have fun while I had a big deadline to meet, but if it’s something you love, it’s all worth it in the end!

Senior Designer Spotlight: Camille Proctor

Name: Camille Proctor

Degree: BFA

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

Camille Proctor: I’ve always been intrigued by garment construction. I have an art background and when I realized how much freedom there is in apparel design I was hooked.

FS²: Favorite snack while working?

CP: My absolute favorite are Twizzlers but I’m trying to eat healthier so currently unsalted roasted almonds.

FS²: What was the first piece you ever designed?

CP: I made a knit skirt for my baby sister.

FS²: What is your favorite class you've taken at the Fashion School?

CP: I have two! My favorite classes I’ve taken here would have to be Apparel construction for specialty markets/advanced pattern making with Uncle Q (Mr. Quevedo) because he helped me fall in love with fabric manipulation. My second favorite was the Tech Style Lab course because I got to see how technology is moving fashion forward.

FS²: Plans for the future?

CP: This reminds me of a quote “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans”. Maybe you’ll find me on a trolley in San Francisco headed to Gap or in New York working for Stella McCartney. Only God knows but I would love to focus on print design and fabric manipulation.

FS²: Advice for aspiring designers?

CP:  My advice would be to not let anyone change your mind and do what’s best for you. Stay ahead of the game and don’t take the easy way out. Explore every opportunity that is given to you because it might not come back around.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Delinda Starks

Name: Delinda Starks

Degree: BFA

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

Delinda Starks: My grandfather was very artistic and grandmother a seamstress, I like to believe i got my interest from the both of them. I always had a creative imagination and loved to draw. I've been drawing clothes since I was very little, and it always bothered me how what you wore categorized you in school. It only made me want to learn how to make whatever designs I wanted, to stand out from everyone else even more.

FS²: Music you listen to while working?

DS: Reggae or Calibre to keep me awake and moving at a swift pace.

FS²: Favorite emoji?

DS: The crying laughing face. I'm always laughing with family and friends.

FS²: Favorite class you've taken at the Fashion School?

DS: The Techstyle Lab elective, learning to use the equipment in the lab was a great opportunity to gain more skills I could use in the work force.

FS²: Coffee or tea?

DS: Tea, peppermint specifically 

FS²: Most proud of?

DS: Proving the doubters wrong. Accomplishing the goals I set for myself is a great feeling and looking back, I am glad I did not let anyone talk me out of doing what makes me happy.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Calvin Brant

Name: Calvin Brant

Degree: BFA

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

Calvin Brant: When I failed at everything else, my story isn’t a pretty one and not particularly noble, but it started with fabric, I could feel the textures and the forms and I new the treasure that each interlacing thread was, it was there I could finally see the potential in myself too.

FS²: How would you define your personal style?

CB: Sartorial, Apocalyptic, Druidic. I am just a huge fan of the simple ya’ know?

FS²: What music do you listen to while working?

CB: Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 9. Its in classical you hear the most purest inspiration, no lyrics, no spoken bias, just pure unadulterated emotion. 

FS²: Most challenging part of being a design student?

CB: Two words: hand-sewing.

FS²: What are you most proud of?

CB: Making my father proud.

FS²: Any advice for aspiring designers?

CB: Never give up, never go back, never surrender.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Kara Kroeger

Name: Kara Kroeger

Degree: BFA

FS²: Where do you find inspiration?

Kara Kroeger: I find inspiration from organic shapes and movement.

FS²: Where have you interned?

KK: 3.1 Phillip Lim

FS²: How is your personal style reflected in your work?

KK: It isn't, surprisingly! I tend to design for how I wish I could dress. Fashion is more of a fantasy to me.

FS²: Favorite class you've taken at the Fashion School?

KK: Any drawing class. I've always loved drawing, especially when I'm drawing something that can be created.

FS²: Favorite emoji?

KK: The blushing smiley face.

FS²: Have you studied abroad? If so, has it influenced your designs?

KK: I studied in NYC. It definitely inspired me to be free with how I think. Being a perfectionist has its perks, but there's a new kind of creativity that comes from letting go.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Lydia Dallas

Name: Lydia Dallas

Major: BA

FS²: Where do you find inspiration?

Lydia Dallas: For many of my collections I pull inspiration from different places I was able to travel when I studied abroad in Florence during Fall semester of my junior year. I'm also drawn to art and architecture.

FS²: Where have you interned?

LD: I interned for an independent designer, Paul Carroll, in New York City this past summer. A lot of what he creates would be considered cocktail wear; dresses are my favorite pieces to create so I had a lot of fun with that. I was able to help with the pattern making, draping, sewing, and learned a lot about hand beading and sequining. It was great being able to help create a collection from start to finish. 

FS²: Favorite snack while working?

LD: Popcorn

FS²: Dream client?

LD: Jennifer Lawrence. She seems like she would be fun to work with and she is from my hometown (Louisville, KY)

FS²: Music you listen to while working?

LD: Almost anything; Ellie Goulding, Vance Joy, Coldplay, Sia, Lumineers

FS²: Did you study abroad? If so, has that influenced your designs?

LD: Definitely! The sites I visited in Italy as well as other countries have been pulled into many of my projects. 

Senior Designer Spotlight: Kristen Faber

Name: Kristen Faber

Degree: BA

FS²: Who is your dream client?

Kristen Faber: My dream client would be Mila Kunis. I love her and her style!

FS²: Where did inspiration for your collection come from?

KF: I was inspired by a Czech building called the "Dancing House"

FS²: What are you most proud of as far as your accomplishments go in the fashion school?

KF: I'm most proud of my internship and the connections I've made. I'm also proud of how far I've come as a designer.

FS²: What are your plans after graduation?

KF: I hope to do a little traveling and find a job working in knitwear or textile design. The dream would be to open my own company.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Marquis Lao

Name: Marquis Lao

Degree: BA

FS²: Where do you find your inspiration?

Maquis Lao: I find inspiration in many things. There’s so much in the world that

influences my designs and lately it’s been pretty conceptual themes that 

reflect what’s going on in the world today and it’s many issues.

FS²: Where have you interned?

ML: I have interned at a high school, helping to construct the costumes for their

musical so far. But I hope to score an internship with Marchesa or Zac Posen.

FS²: What was the first thing you ever designed?

ML: A canvas bag with hand printed math equations on the bag. ALL HAND

SEWN! It was through a fashion camp that I took part in growing up. 

Machine sewing wise: a horrendous green basic sloper dress for my draping 

class, haha.

FS²: When did you become interested in design?

ML: I became interested in design probably around the age of 5? It’s almost

hard to remember but I knew I wanted to be in fashion when my mom took 

me shopping and I’d look at all the cool things in the store and my mom’s side 

of the family is pretty rooted in dressing to impress. And my mom got me 

these really beautiful Barbie doll dresses that were so detailed. I think all 

these factors is what really got me interested in design.

FS²: What do you listen to while you work?

ML: I think it changes depending on the time of day and what I’m feeling, but I

usually listen to hip-hop/r&b, EDM, and K-pop. EDM is what helps keep me 

up so I can finish my work.

FS²: Have you studied abroad? If so, where and how did that change the way you design?

ML: Florence Spring 2015! It has solidified my design aesthetic as a designer. It’s

made me realize exactly what aesthetic I like doing and what market I want 

to target and it’s just given me the creative awakening that I needed. I advise 

everyone to try and save up for study abroad cause it’s seriously amazing. LIFE CHANGING.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Jasmine Summers

Name: Jasmine Summers

Degree: BA

FS²: Where do you find inspiration?

Jasmine Summers: I find most of my inspiration in history- historical figures, artists, events, etc.

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

JS: I spent a lot of time doing arts and crafts as a kid, so when I was 10 my mom taught me to sew. It seemed a natural extension of the arts and crafts that I already spent so much time doing, and I was better at sewing than I was at drawing so I stuck with it. The lumpy pillows I made soon progressed into sewing garments, so that's how I started getting interested in fashion design.  

FS²: Where have you interned?

JS: I have interned for Rachel Antonoff, Stoll Fashion & Technology, and Macy's, all during a six month stay in NYC last year.

FS²: What kind of music do you listen to while working?

JS: It changes season to season, but at the moment I'm listening to Florist, Rostam, The 1975, and Grimes.

FS²: Did you study abroad? If so, has that influenced any of your designs?

JS: Studying at the NYC Studio was foundational to developing my feminine aesthetic and knitwear focus. 

FS²: Do you have any advice for aspiring designers?

JS: Teach yourself and research what you want to be creating- market, aesthetic, niche. The sooner you can figure out what is right for you to design, the better.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Zane Lehman

Name: Zane Lehman

Degree: BA

FS²: Where do you find inspiration?

Zane Lehman: My collections come to me in my dreams.

FS²: How is your personal style reflected in your work?

ZL: I like to design with strange forms or techniques that haven't been designed before.

FS²: Favorite snack while working?

ZL: Superhero Pop Tarts.

FS²: Any advice for aspiring designers?

ZL: Knowing when and when not to listen to the teachers design advice.

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

ZL: I love to make things with my hands

FS²: Do you listen to any music while working?

ZL: The rhythm of the Juki

Senior Designer Spotlight: Jillian Bond

Name: Jillian Bond

Degree: BA

FS²: How did you become interested in design?

Jillian Bond: I was originally a Merchandising major with an interest in Visual Communication and planned on attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise, so I started in a community where they had a sewing class that was mandatory for freshman merchandising students. The first week of that sewing class I fell in love and I knew I needed to be the one designing and making the clothing.

FS²: Coffee order? Tree City or Starbucks?

JB: Tree City! They have this maple latte in the fall that is to die for and a rose lemonade in the spring. And if it's a long day in the studio, I'll grab one of their homemade peanut butter sandwiches. 

FS²: Music you listen to while working?

JB: The music I listen to while working pretty much depends when the due date is, haha. I definitely listen to fast, upbeat music during all nighters and sewing to keep me awake and moving quickly.

FS²: Most you've spent on fabric?

JB: I can't recall a time where I spent an insane amount of money on fabric, but I have spent about $300 just on yarn. 

FS²: Favorite snack while working?

JB: Does coffee count as a snack? 

FS²: Most proud of?

JB: I am most proud of my senior thesis collection. It is a very emotional collection for me and mirrors who I am as a designer and also a person.

Senior Designer Profile: Leah Haynes

Name: Leah Haynes

Degree: BA

FS²:  I hear you’re doing a collection on childrenswear, where did you get inspiration for your line?

Leah Haynes: My collection is inspired by hiking in the fall. I started with the technical details on hiking gear for adults and mixed in kid-friendly woodland creatures that you might meet on a hike. 

FS²: What are you most proud of as far as your accomplishments go in The Fashion School?

LH: My biggest accomplishment in The Fashion School so far is really just getting to senior year. It's been a tough road but so worth all the hard work! 

FS²: What is your coffee order?

LH: Mocha, no whip, with an extra shot of espresso.

FS²: What is your dream job?

LH: My dream job would be to design a boutique children's brand that uses profits to provide clothing, shoes, and toys to children in need both domestically and globally.  

Senior Designer Spotlight: Kelsi McCafferty

Name: Kelsi McCafferty

Degree: BA

FS²:  How would you define your personal style and how is it reflected in your work?

Kelsi McCafferty: In terms of personal style, I just wear things that I like. It doesn't matter if it's designer label or thrifted, if I like it I will wear it. I always seem to come back to feminine, but eclectic styles, which is definitely how I design as well. My design aesthetic is print focused with a lot of color and fun surface detailing. Fashion should always be fun and I try to keep my designs charming and a little funky.

FS²: Who is your dream client?

KM: My dream clients would be Gina Rodriguez or Mindy Kaling. Two wonderfully inspirational women that I think would appreciate and rock my prints. 

FS²: What is your coffee/tea order?

KM: Herbal tea with a spoonful of honey.

FS²: Any advice for aspiring designers?

KM: Don't take fashion too seriously. I think that a lot of people get caught up in the supposed fashion "do's" and "don't's" and it inhibits their design process. Not everything has to be dark and stormy. Maybe we can make color the "new black" for a change.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Dior Delophont

Senior: Dior Delophont

Degree: BA

FS²:  Where did you intern and how was your experience?

Dior Delophont: I interned in the fall 2014 for Phat Buddha Wear which is a high-end yogawear brand. My experience there was really hands on since it was a small company. I got to actually design a big part of the 2015 collection, I met with the vendors, assisted fittings and was in charge of sending fit changes to manufacturers. I think that my favorite moment was when I got to design a capsule collection for Madonna's personal use. This very positive experience taught me that even though I want to start working for a large company at first, I would like to have my own label one day.

FS²: What is your favorite emoji?

DD: My favorite emoji is 

FS²: Do you listen to music while you work? If so, whats on your playlist?

DD: I do listen to music while I work. I have a very wide range of styles I listen to depending on my mood and my inspiration. Lately my favorite song is 'Good To Love' by FKA Twigs.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Abby Steger

Senior: Abby Steger

Degree: BA

FS²: What is the most challenging part of being a design student?

Abby Steger: Overcoming self-doubt.

FS²: Have you studied abroad? If so, has that experience influenced your designs?

AS: I've studied in Florence, Italy, and worked in NYC, LA, and Minneapolis. Italian design is so bold and passionate, and it taught me to take more creative risks. Every place has its own pulse though, so I like to use a mix of cultures when I design. 

FS²: Who is your dream client?

AS: My mom, who showed me creativity first. 

FS²: What is your favorite snack while working?

AS: Espresso and anything with pesto on it.

Senior Designer Spotlight: Camille Winslow

Senior: Camille Winslow
Degree: BA

FS²: I heard that you are going to China Fashion Week, congrats! What are your thoughts and feelings on that?

Camille Winslow: I am so excited to travel to China this month to show my collection at China Fashion Week! I admire many Chinese designers and I'm inspired by their colorful aesthetic, so I am very grateful for the opportunity to see all of that in person!  

FS²: Where did inspiration from your collection come from?

CW: My inspiration for my Senior collection came from looking at the creative processes of children, and whether outside factors had any impact on their creativity as they grew older. I loved working with K-2nd grade art classes to help me further develop my concept and prints!

FS²: What are you most proud of as far as your accomplishments go in The Fashion School?

CW: I love seeing my progress and how far I've come as a designer since freshman year!  These years have been so full of amazing experiences, like living and interning in NYC, winning an award in last year's show and finishing my Senior collection! I have tried to get thought it all while staying true to my aesthetic and not compromising my designs, and I am most proud of that.  

FS²: Do you listen to music while you’re designing? If so what do you listen to?

CW: I always listen to music while I am designing! Music is another layer of inspiration for me, so what I listen to really depends on what I want the feel of my designs to have.  Lately I've been hooked on ODESZA.  

Be sure to see the next senior designer is for our Senior Spotlight!

FS2 Model Call Recap

Here were some highlights from our model call!

We had an amazing turnout, with over 100 individuals who walked the runway for a chance to be featured in our show. Our Model Coordinators have been hard at work matching models with designer's looks for our catalog and performances. 

Our first photoshoot for this year's catalog will be February 29th. Continue checking in for behind-the-scenes planning of this year's show. We have a lot of exciting announcements in store!

FS² 2016 Model Calls

Be a part of The Fashion School's largest event of the year! We are looking for female and male models to join us in our model call this Thursday, February 11 from 6-8p.m. in Rockwell Auditorium, Room 231. You do not have to be a fashion student to take part in this model call! You must be a registered KSU student to walk. We request that all models wear dark fitted clothing and female models bring heels. 

Production for The Fashion School's Annual Fashion Show has taken off and we're so excited for all of the plans we have for this year's show. Now that the management team is prepping and designers have been hard at work, we are looking for models to walk in this year's show.

If you have any feel free to email us at ksuannualfashionshow.gmail.com . Stay connected and follow us on our Instagram, Twitter and like our page on Facebook!