So, fashion.
Taking risks, embracing challenge
I applied to Art2Wear along with ~50 other designers in December 2014 in an effort to diverge from my graphic design major's track and take on a challenge. I was tired of looking at screens.
Two completed looks were required for application in December. While studying abroad in Florence fall semester I bought Italian books from street vendors, sourced faux leather from a Florentine shop, crashed the fashion design sewing studios, and asked my roommate to model to produce the first two pieces of my line. After my acceptance, I returned to Raleigh to finish the rest of my line.
While studying abroad in Florence I bought Italian books from street vendors, sourced faux leather from a Florentine shop, crashed the fashion design sewing studios, and asked my roommate to model.
![model wearing paper dress.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5b7084d3b3323e770e02889f_athenaeum2side.jpg)
![Model showing back of paper dress.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5b7084d3681f89acedb5bf92_athenaeum2backedit.jpg)
Ath•e•nae•um
noun
Used in the names of libraries or institutions for literary or scientific study; used in the titles of periodicals concerned with literature, sciences, and art.
Paper, thread, & lasers
Building the experience
My graphic design background made me an unusual participant in Art2Wear. Designers usually come from fashion design, textiles, fiber design, or industrial design backgrounds. I combined my love of books and typography with a love of crafting with my hands — tapped into the breadth of my interests and skillset — to craft a marriage of typography and fashion.
![Sketch of paper dress.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a57ffdc0f2900000176f0b9_drawing.jpg)
![Laser cutter cutting out leather](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5802ed5a82f60001651df0_lasercut%20(1).gif)
![laser cut typographic material in waves.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a57fe110f2900000176f035_letters.jpg)
![Video of golden thread spinning in a spool.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a580442bca20f000114c58e_thread%20(1).gif)
![Long golden skirt on a mannequin.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a57ff095a82f60001651b01_skirt_drape.jpg)
![Wallpaper book pages sewn together.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a57fe11bca20f000114c3ac_pages_skirt.jpg)
![Image of a plasma cutter cutting metal into a typographic skirt.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a57fe111cd11500016b8476_plasma.jpg)
![Typographic skirt spraypainted gold and drying in the sun.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a57ff06d7e2240001a50184_skirt_spraypaint.jpg)
![Model walking in a test fitting for a big hoop skirt.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5802e91cd11500016b878e_bigdress%20(1).gif)
I tapped into the breadth of my interests and skillsets to craft a marriage of typography and fashion.
The College of Design offers incredible resources in its shop. I used the laser cutter to create my letter leather pattern; sewed oversized book pages on a sewing machine; plasma cutted letters into steel sheet metal; and welded the metal to form structured wearable pieces.
Through my lens
Photoshoot at Leazar Hall
I chose to shoot my line at the early 1900's era studio where I built it: Leazar Hall. To me, the best context to frame my line was a university building. The studio building had the old world metal, brick, and wood that inspired my line's tone.
![Group photo of six models in fashion line.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a51a3c2b462b2000144c869_Group7.jpg)
![Close up of dress with book page skirt, leather jacket, and leather typography lining.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d73c31ba0001f2fb31_alex2.jpg)
![Model in book paper dress and leather mini skirt.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d751b49400018c7221_Susan4%20(1).jpg)
![Three models in leather typography and book page dresses.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d529270c0001a83a26_Group1.jpg)
![Leather typography top and long gold skirt.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d56820590001be1ee3_Angie8.jpg)
![close up of leather typographic top and metal typography colllar.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d50f493d00010c1157_angie5.jpg)
![Long golden skirt and letters scattered down.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d53c31ba0001f2fb30_angie9.jpg)
![Model in leather typography top and giant book pages as a skirt.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d529270c0001a83a25_Erin1.jpg)
![Metal typography in blonde hair.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d73c31ba0001f2fb32_Sarah3.jpg)
![metal skirt and leather dress underneath.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d551b49400018c721e_sarahleazar.jpg)
![Metal typographic top, like armor, and a wide silk black hoop skirt.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5b70c1b03d9b84c4c9720f8e_focuscourtney5.jpg)
![Back of model with metal top and hoop skirt bottom.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5a1cb93d7ceb0c0001289f06/5a5825d5134f0a00017093a1_courtney1.jpg)
Takeaways
I had never made clothes before I applied to Art2Wear. This was a large scale risk that paid off after many mistakes and growing pains. I took joy in experimenting with the incredible resources available at the College of Design - lasers and plasma cutters? So cool. I loved building an experience; not with pixels and light, but with physical materials, my hands, and the music of the show.
I loved building an experience; not with pixels and light, but with physical materials, my hands, and the music of the show.
I learned what it took to sit at the helm of a vision and direct a group of people to see it through. At the end of the day, I was just one small piece of the larger effort of Art2Wear. I'm grateful to have been able to tell my story.