Senior Thesis: Ellipsy
Ellipsy draws inspiration from the ellipsis, an omission in writing, a trailing thought, or a thoughtful pause, translated into fashion through the act of looking thrice. The first glance captures intriguing silhouettes; the second reveals subtle anomalies, like a third sleeve or an extra set of pant legs; the third uncovers the full meaning and context. The collection explores distorted visual perception and the tension between what is seen and what is real, inspired by the experience of being a highly nearsighted glasses wearer. Each look references optical tests such as a Snellen eye chart, Amsler Grid, and a Vision Contrast Test System. Techniques like Shima Seiki knitwear, double-vision patternmaking, and meticulous hand-done fabric manipulations create optical effects that mimic these tests. Every garment is entirely handmade, with deliberate visual anomalies and warped perspectives. The pieces invite viewers to pause, look again, and question the nature of seeing versus understanding. Ellipsy challenges perception, inviting a closer look at what we see, and what we think we see.
Subtraction Patterned Silk Dress and Slouched Cap
Inspired by the freeness of birds and their fluid, effortless movement, an idea I connect closely with womanhood, I patterned this dress using Julian Roberts’ Subtraction Cutting technique (circa 2002). The method typically uses a single seam to hold the garment together; however, I added an extension at the hem to create a more dramatic silhouette. By laying the fabric flat and sewing along a rectangular cutout, the dress forms unpredictable, jagged shapes that move beautifully in motion.
The accompanying hat was designed with the same ideology of fluidity and comfort. Its slouched, side-part silhouette draws inspiration from vintage aviation caps, which were often soft, asymmetrical, and designed for ease, aligning with my concept of flight and movement.
To further reinforce the narrative, I laser-cut, adhered, and hand-embroidered a feather appliqué onto the cap, echoing both the visual language of birds and the idea that freedom of movement should be central, not restrictive, in womenswear.
Sloped Cavalier Hat with Question Mark Appliqué
Inspired by John Galliano’s Fall/Winter 2007 collection for Dior, I challenged myself to explore millinery with little prior experience. Drawing from my love of printmaking, optical motifs, and illusionary silhouettes, elements echoed in Galliano’s headpieces, I designed and constructed this piece using entirely up-cycled materials, including a wool peacoat, secondhand buttons, and deadstock trims donated to my school’s fabric closet.
The dramatic, sloped silhouette emerged organically through iterative problem-solving during the making process. As my first millinery project, the piece represents both experimentation and craftsmanship,over 20 hours of hand sewing that truly paid off.
Silhouette Play with Paper Dolls and Letters
As someone with plenty of creative ideas but limited time and resources, small-scale draping has become an ideal outlet. It allows me to explore silhouette, scale, shape, color, and texture with complete freedom, and without the constraints of full garment production.
Next Up! Philly Fashion Week Design Competition
For this three-week design challenge, I was tasked with creating a complete ensemble using only a mystery bag of second-hand clothing and one small scrap of silk fabric, relying solely on my own technical and creative skills. The provided garments were largely frumpy and outdated, but I saw potential in their transformation.
My assigned color palette consisted primarily of spring hues, which inspired me to reflect on the seasonal shift from winter to spring, a time of renewal and blooming color. Drawing influence from Yuhan Wang’s Spring 2025 collection, particularly her refined use of patchwork, I aimed to echo the technique with something soft, elegant, and modern. I incorporated a structured, asymmetrical skirt and designed a dramatic ruffled collar, accented by a vintage-inspired brooch. Every pattern piece was drafted from scratch and tailored precisely to my model’s measurements.
I was selected alongside a fellow Drexel student to represent our university in a competition against other schools for Philly Fashion Week. While I did not take home the top prize, the experience offered invaluable insight into the fast-paced environment of a live fashion show and strengthened my ability to design under pressure.
Undercover Spring/Summer 2004 Fashion Illustrations
Stretched out and morphed to playful lengths, this Undercover SS04 collection is one of my favorites. With one model playing it straight and the other becoming a ‘visual meltdown of the look, like a reflection in a fairground mirror,’” as Sarah Mower described in Vogue Runway (October 5, 2003).
The warped, floating silhouettes captured by the twin models inspire me beyond belief. I sketched several of my favorite looks to study the subtle differences within each duo, which deepened my appreciation for playful, unconventional patterning and thematic storytelling. This exercise helped me better understand my own design ideology and the kinds of visual narratives I’m drawn to explore.
Home-Run Haute: Garbage Gala 2024
My university hosts an annual freshman fashion show called Garbage Gala, where students are challenged to create a fully realized garment using only recycled materials and no traditional sewing techniques. I embraced this constraint through my piece Home-Run Haute, transforming discarded objects into a high-fashion statement.
The design explores the interplay between traditionally feminine and masculine attributes through unexpected material contrasts. By incorporating boxing gloves, disassembled baseball gear, and synthetic hair, I created a bold silhouette that blurs gendered boundaries while balancing strength and softness.
This project not only pushed my creativity and technical problem-solving, but also underscored the storytelling potential of repurposed materials, highlighting sustainability as a powerful driver of innovation in fashion design.
Penitentiary Piece: Fashion to Form Final
For my Fashion to Form class, I designed a garment inspired by the architectural structure of the Eastern State Penitentiary, with an emphasis on highlighting the back as the primary design feature. Using upholstery fabric for its durability and texture, I echoed the heavy, weathered stones of the penitentiary’s walls. The “stokes", long, structural fabric strips, are layered and twisted to recreate the building’s formidable framework, secured with industrial snaps that reference barred enclosures.
The back becomes the core of the design: the stokes interlace and fasten into a dynamic knotting formation, creating a sculptural focal point. This twisting and binding effect reflects the labyrinthine pathways within the penitentiary, symbolizing both tension and unity. The final piece pays homage to the site’s enduring and haunting architectural presence.
Kiko Kostandinov x Wildaid
For this proposed collaboration, I imagined a partnership between Kiko Kostadinov and WildAid, aligning fashion with ethical activism. Inspired by Deanna and Laura Fanning’s AW24 womenswear collection, where they drew from traditional English hunting gear despite being vegetarian, I reinterpreted that narrative through a lens of sustainability and compassion. This collection honors the utilitarian silhouettes and functionality of hunting attire while using only vegan, eco-conscious materials. In collaboration with WildAid, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing global consumption of animal products, the collection becomes a statement of moral integrity, merging innovative design with environmental and animal welfare awareness.
Dormant Agriculture
In this project, I explored the beauty of dormant agriculture through an innovative fashion narrative. I designed a headpiece and harnessed belt filled with recycled mesh fabric that creates a crunching leaf sound when rustled, embodying the serene yet dynamic essence of winter landscapes. Complementing these elements is a draped asymmetrical green dress, symbolizing the resilience and beauty of winter greenery. This collection not only highlights sustainable materials but also invites viewers to reflect on the subtleties of nature's quiet moments, celebrating the delicate balance between life and dormancy in the agricultural cycle.
Sweet Dreams, Sweet Pea
Whimsical and enchanting, this Spring/Summer 2025 sleepwear collection draws inspiration from the fairytale elegance of The Princess and the Pea. Each piece acts as a wearable lullaby, combining storybook-inspired hand-drawn prints, airy comfort, and sustainable luxury. Crafted from 100% French flax linen and organic Turkish cotton, and printed with low-impact, non-toxic dyes, the collection brings a touch of magic to the everyday. These designs aim to make sleepwear an extension of self-expression and artistry, grounded in thoughtful, sustainable choices.
Upcycled Menswear
This menswear coat and pant set is made entirely from deadstock fabric and upcycled garments, merging sustainability with utilitarian design. Inspired by vintage aviation gear, the pieces emphasize function and form, with construction details like bias tape finishes that highlight clean and intentional design lines. A key feature is the modular hood, created from an upcycled blazer, which unbuttons into a functional messenger bag. It retains the original blazer pockets for practical storage, and when worn as a hood, it echoes the silhouette of an aviator cap. The color palette reflects the industrial tones of classic flight wear, accented by a striking blue that symbolizes the sky and forward-thinking innovation.
At Home And In Paris: Les Fleurs Studio SS25 Collection
This imagined collection is inspired by the delicate artistry of Les Fleurs Studio, which uniquely utilizes vintage doilies in their designs. For this project, I emulated the brand's garment style and ethical principles, creating designs that capture the intricate and timeless beauty of doilies. Each piece reflects a commitment to sustainability, envisioned through the use of 100% natural fibers that honor both the environment and the craftsmanship of traditional textiles. This collection embodies a blend of nostalgia and modernity, celebrating the elegance of lace-like designs while advocating for responsible fashion practices.
Knitwear Inspired by Gee's Bend Quilts
This project explores the rich heritage of Gee’s Bend, translating the artistry of its quilts into a knitwear collection that honors the women who created them. Each knit swatch is thoughtfully named after a woman from Gee’s Bend, symbolizing individual stories and the community’s legacy of resilience and creativity. With a focus on cultural appreciation versus appropriation, this collection emphasizes respectful homage over replication. The project is rooted in understanding the impact of Gee’s Bend quilts on American art, while thoughtfully celebrating this cultural narrative through knitwear design that respects the original artistry and intent.
Illustration Collection
This collection highlights my passion for illustrative expression and the personal style I’ve developed through years of drawing and watercolor work. I’ve always been drawn to hand-rendered techniques, they bring an authenticity and intimacy that feel increasingly rare in an era oversaturated with AI-generated imagery.
Each illustration reflects my exploration of form, movement, and character, capturing the dynamic relationship between fashion and art. By blending traditional drawing and watercolor methods with a contemporary perspective, I aim to express not only design ideas but also the emotions and narratives behind them.
These works represent how deeply illustration shapes my approach to fashion design. It is through drawing that I refine silhouettes, discover unexpected details, and translate mood into visual language. This collection is a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the enduring beauty of hand-crafted illustration.
