Claire Huang - MOD. REN. FEM.

"MODERN RENAISSANCE WOMAN"

In my definition, a "Modern Renaissance Woman" is someone I aspire to be: a culturally-aware and creative individual who immerses herself in the arts professionally and recreational. With that in mind, this capsule collection fuses work and nightlife attire, inspired by techno/house music to bring music, art, and fashion together.

**ALL PHOTOS AND DESIGNS ARE OWNED BY CLAIRE HUANG.

PLAGIARISM/STEALING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.**

look 1

Hand-Painted/ Silk-screened Clear Vinyl Vest

Neon Crop Top with Rib Knit Turtleneck

Flared Pinstripe Pants with Metal Thread Accents

look 2

Custom Print on Silk Chiffon Circle Skirt

Black Mesh Bodysuit with Pink Lycra applique

Detail

Mix & match

accessories

Crystallized Magenta Leather Envelope Clutch

Back

Crystallized Aqua Leather Envelope Clutch

Back

Research and preliminary designs

I didn’t want to create a collection that just replicated the fashion worn during Techno and House Music’s peak. I thought of the community where I have grown up in, Los Angeles, and analyzed its recreational party culture: raves, concerts, amusement parks, and nightlife. I also thought about the “modern Renaissance woman” who may play instruments, attend concerts, and curates art exhibits for a living. As a result, I created a collection that was made for that artistic individual who can wear my clothing in the studio during work hours as well as in the club, dancing a long day's work away.

Research

Research 2

Moodboard

Moodboard 2

Customer Profile

Prelim Sketches 1

Prelim Sketches 2

process

Sound Drawings/ Printmaking

Sound Drawings 1

Sound Drawings 2

Fabric Manipulations 1

Fabric Manipulations 2

Silk-screening

Silk-screening 2

Monoprinting

Prints 1

Prints 2

While listening to a playlist of Techno/ House music, I created a series of "sound drawings" which visually depicted how I conveyed each song's emotion, tone, lyrics, etc. I later used those sound drawings as my sources of inspiration to create fabric manipulations to include in my collection. To translate these 2-D drawings, I was particularly interested in transforming them 3-D through printmaking, silk-screening, and textile design.

Construction

Look 1: Using the print I developed, I silk-screened on vinyl for an asymmetrical vest. I then added white trim on the edges and buckles as closures. For the finishing touch, I purposely drew lapels and pockets in a painterly fashion as an "illusion" to add "work wear" components. For the top, I kept it simple by using a basic bodice pattern, cropped. Next, I added a rib knit cowl/ turtleneck and metallic trim. Lastly, the pants are flared with an opening in the middle of each leg. To accent, I added metallic thread on certain existing pinstripes.

Look 2: For the bodysuit, I used black mesh as the base and drafted an applique piece to cover the bust, following the themes of my sound drawings. I pearl stitched all of the edges, chain-stitched the applique, and added buttons as closures. For the skirt, I created my custom print digitally and had it printed on silk chiffon with a black lining. Furthermore, I added in-seam pockets, invisible zipper, and pearl-stitched hem.

For the accessories, I created two envelope clutches and a card case. I used bonded leather as backing for the aqua and magenta leather. The aqua clutch is a traditional envelope clutch while the magenta's back flap is shaped similarly to Look 2's pink applique piece. To accessorize, I crystallized and added floral pieces the clutches. For the card case, I kept it simple and mimicked the same shape as Look 2's applique piece for both pockets.