“Unveiling Elegance”: The Class of 2023’s striking senior collections and lookbooks
Months of hard work by the class of 2023 fashion design students culminated in a beautiful success of garments and look book photos. The collaboration between SCAD fashion students and photography majors has come nothing short of stunning yet again this year. The connector has gotten an inside look on the process and meaning behind a few of this year’s collections from the designers themselves, beginning with Katelyn Hornyak.
Katelyn Hornyak
Where are you from?
“I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, where my upbringing took place on a farm nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It may seem unconventional for a fashion designer to emerge from there, but it provided a unique backdrop that shaped my journey into the industry!”
What got you into fashion?
“I have always had a fascination with the process of turning a two-dimensional concept into a tangible, three-dimensional object. When deciding which art form to pursue on a more professional level, I was drawn to fashion due to the process of storytelling in a 3D sense. I think fashion represents this approach brilliantly, and, to me, fashion transcends mere functionality and becomes a captivating art form. In fashion, I find the perfect blend of artistic expression and technical skill. It allows me to bring my ideas to life, taking inspiration from various sources and translating them into garments that embody both creativity and craftsmanship. Through my designs, I strive to create pieces that not only adorn the body but also carry a deeper significance, sparking conversations and challenging perceptions. By viewing fashion as an art form, I am able to approach my work with a sense of purpose and creative freedom. It allows me to experiment, take risks, and push the boundaries of conventional design. Fashion becomes a medium through which I can express my individuality, share my vision, and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of artistic expression.”
What’s the title of the collection?
“Revelations.”
Photos Courtesy of Katelyn Hornyak, photos by Imran Alifu.
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“The focus of my collection lies in telling a story. Specifically, it centers around the Book of Revelation and the challenge of translating its 2D narrative into a 3D fashion collection. While the theme is rooted in the biblical text, there is also a personal element to it. Having grown up in a devout Christian household, the Bible has played a significant role in shaping my worldview. The Book of Revelation has always held a particular fascination for me, and I knew that one day I would draw upon it as a concept.”
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Hornyak.
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“This collection serves as a profound reflection on my upbringing and the transformative journey that has shaped me into the person I am today. It is deeply influenced by my formative years within a devout Christian household, paying homage to the significant period of my life spent within that religious sphere. One aspect that has always captivated me is the Book of Revelation, with its intricate storytelling and abstract predictions of the future. It serves as a wellspring of inspiration, offering a wealth of ideas that resonate with me on multiple levels. On the surface, the Book of Revelation’s narrative is gripping and rife with symbolism, providing a rich tapestry from which to draw inspiration for this collection. However, the connection goes beyond a surface-level fascination.
The collection holds immense personal significance, as every piece has been meticulously rust-dyed by my own hands. Rust dyeing, with its organic process of degradation, mirrors the themes of decay and transformation mentioned in the Book of Revelation. It becomes a tangible representation of the passage of time and the cyclical nature of existence. By incorporating rust dyeing into the collection, I aim to evoke a sense of visual storytelling, where the garments themselves become a reflection of the themes and motifs found within the Book of Revelation. Through this artistic technique, the garments acquire a weathered and worn aesthetic, symbolizing both the fragility and resilience of the human experience. Together, this collection becomes a deeply personal and introspective exploration, intertwining my upbringing, the influence of the Book of Revelation, and the expressive power of rust dyeing. It is a testament to the profound impact that our backgrounds and experiences have on shaping our identities and creative expressions.”
Sketches courtesy of Katelyn Hornyak.
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“The primary obstacle lay in the actual construction of these pieces. I personally patterned and sewed every single one, but determining the appropriate techniques for the sculptural elements required a significant amount of trial and error. Each sculptural component incorporated extensive lengths of wiring in varying weights, and finding a balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal posed a considerable difficulty. The challenge was particularly demanding due to the weight of the garments and the necessity of ensuring proper internal support to achieve the desired positioning of the extending pieces. By the end of the collection, I felt akin to an engineer, given the extensive mathematical calculations and precise planning involved in the pattern-making and construction process!”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“I take great pride in successfully bringing the sculptural pieces to life, closely resembling my initial sketches. Each garment also incorporates my distinctive rust dyeing technique, which itself was an extensive process of experimentation and refinement. The outcome of the rust dyeing method yielded one-of-a-kind natural prints that can never be replicated naturally again, further enhancing the deeply personal nature of these garments.”
Photos Courtesy of Katelyn Hornyak, photos by Xavier Thompson. Assistance by Auna Moss and Caitlyn O’Malley. Modeled by Garrett Bennett, Rebecca Zaizaiy, Aviana DiPasquale, Danielle Fontaine, and Alara Koc,
A stunning and meticulously thought out concept truly came to fruition with the collection “Revelation” by Hornyak. To follow along with her fashion design journey and to see more about the collection follow her Instagram page.
Tristin Taylor
Tristin Taylor is from a city not too far from Atlanta called Fayetteville, Georgia.
What got you into fashion?
“Growing up, my mom owned a small boutique store. My grandma was a clothing hoarder and a very close family friend ran a little thrift store, so clothing has always surrounded me in my life, whether I was helping them in the stores, or just being inspired by the way they were always wearing something nice.”
Title of the collection?
“Tethered.”
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“The collection is meant to represent how you have to take the broken and lost pieces of yourself and put them back together to make something beautiful and useful.”
Photos courtesy of Tristin Taylor, taken by Xavier Thompson.
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“I started this collection right when i went through a very traumatic experience that really left me feeling lost and broken, so as I’m sitting there ripping these fabrics and garments apart, it’s working as a sort of therapy in a way. Like I’m putting my feelings on display.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“My biggest challenge when creating the collection was staying true to sustainability. Every fabric was hand sourced by me locally from second hand and recycle locations. So if I had a particular fabric or garment I felt I needed, then I had to wait until I could find a piece to fit just right.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“My biggest success in the collection was introducing the idea of convertibility into almost all the garments. Meaning pieces can be reversed or switched or changed. With a good majority of the pieces converting from a garment into a bag with a just a couple key folds or zips or buttons. This aspect also helped reinforce my concept because of the way we must always stay in a state of change and flexibility to stay afloat in life.”
Photos Courtesy of Tristin Taylor, taken by Xavier Thompson.
Taylor added that “I just wanted to say I’m thankful for my professor my parents, my friends, and for every experience that’s led me to this point in my journey.” To follow along with Taylors budding fashion career follow his Instagram.
Demi Alexis Velasquez
Our next designer is Demi Alexis Velasquez who is from El Salvador but has lived in Georgia her whole life.
What got you into fashion?
“I have been drawing since I was little and I used to always play around in my moms closet playing dress up. So I wanted to combine both passions. Since high school I was drawn to fashion illustration and designing.”
What’s the title of your collection?
“She is Art.”
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“I was inspired by the Baroque and Victorian era’s using a lot of lace and corsetry, as well as vintage lingerie. I focused on more abstract art to bring a modern element into the collection. Diego Velázquez is another artist I was inspired by and his techniques for depicting lace.”
Photos courtesy of Katelyn Hornyak, photos by Xavier Thompson.
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“I’ve had a long journey with confidence and embracing my own body, this collection was made to remind women they are true forms of art. Women in society are constantly cat called, objectified, sexualized, etc. I have let other people (especially men) control my self-confidence. Whether it was that I had longer legs so my skirt was too short, that I should get a bigger size, or just been told inappropriate comments. I want women to remember the power their bodies hold and that they should learn to love and embrace that.”
What was your biggest challenge/success in creating the collection?
“My biggest challenge was all of the hand-sewing. I have a lot of embellishments and appliqués on my garments that I had to hand sew. It’s time consuming but it was worth it in the end. The appliqués were not only the biggest challenge but also the biggest success. It was so satisfying seeing it done and I think it really amplified my collection.”
Photos courtesy of Katelyn Hornyak, photos by Xavier Thompson.
Who photographed the look-book?
“Xavier Thompson! He was awesome. He knew exactly what aesthetic to capture. He and, Auna, (assistant director) were so creative and knew how to capture my vision.”
Velasquez collection is elegantly beautiful all the way down to the arduous embellishment and appliqué details, to follow along with her budding fashion career and get an even closer look into her look book ‘She is Art’ follow her Instagram.
Hee Yeol Yang
Next we get to take a look at Hee Yeol Yang (also known as Hayden) collection who is from Seoul, South Korea.
What got you into fashion?
“From a young age, I always felt different from others. I didn’t know how to love myself and disliked my own appearance, often comparing myself to others. As I discovered ways to express myself through fashion, my surroundings naturally filled with fashion magazines and vintage clothes. It was during my military service that I first thought about pursuing a career in fashion design.”
What’s the title of your collection?
“The Dysfunctional Pigs.”
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“My inspiration started from vulnerable and immature adolescent when I was in the middle and high school. The restrictive school system that demanded all students to wear the same uniforms, be taught the same regular education, and strive toward the same goals made me feel like a suffocating cage. I witnessed the emergence of a clear hierarchy of power, oppression and violence among students. In that situation, I thought I was like a pig that could be easily replaced and graded like a product.”
Photos courtesy of Hayden Yang, photos by Xavier Thompson.
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“In this collection, I sought to use the motifs of school and pigs to encapsulate my memories. I wanted to emphasize the destructive nature of the system we were subjected to. My design aim to break free from the oppressive and limiting standards of the past and celebrate individuality and self-expression. I hope that this collection inspires others to embrace their true selves and find their place in the world.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“In the process of deconstructing vintage garments, it was not easy to find the materials I was looking for. Moreover, it took a long time to create the elastic ruffle band. I even dreamt about making it.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“Having a clear concept from the beginning and conducting thorough research greatly helped in creating a consistent collection. As I had been preparing for my work for almost a year, I found myself becoming too close to it. This sometimes led to confusion about the direction I was taking. However, each time this happened, thorough research helped me stay grounded and unwavering.”
Photos courtesy of Hayden Yang, photos by Xavier Thompson.
Who photographed the look-book?
“Xavier Thompson. He is a good photographer.”
Yang did an incredible job of conveying his personal narrative through these captivating garments. To see more of Yangs work visit his website or Instagram.
Jordyn Chappell
Continuing on to Jordyn Chappell from Denver, Colorado.
What got you into fashion?
“My mom has always been really stylish and loves to shop so that gave me the space to explore my personal style. I also grew up watching the Victoria’s Secret Fashions Shows for better or for worse. Needless to say, that played a part in my interest of fashion.”
Title of the collection?
“The Legend of the Lost Filipino Cowboy.”
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“This collection is an expression of my experience being a mixed POC, specifically being half Filipino and born and raised in Colorado. I combined elements from traditional Filipino garments and vintage cowboy garments. The Filipino aspects are shown through the volume in the silhouettes, geometric patterns, and the beading. The cowboy elements are shown through the denim, chaps, and belts.”
Photos courtesy of Courtney Chapel, photos by Xavier Thompson.
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“This collection has be a part of my journey in grounding myself in my ethnic identity when feeling disconnected from my communities because I’m not fully Filipino nor was the culture passed down from my grandparents due to their need to assimilate into western society. What makes my efforts to connect with my Filipino heritage harder is that there’s very little about Filipino American history that I can research. With there being little art that has showcased this obstacle, I wanted to make a collection that allows me to feel seen as well as anyone else to shares these feelings.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“The biggest challenge was standing my ground in my decision to do inclusive sizing with true plus sizes and learning how to get the correct proportions for different body types when certain resources like the correct sized mannequins weren’t at my disposal.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“I’d have to say successfully making a truly size inclusive collection was my biggest success. This was something I knew I wanted to do from the beginning to become a better designer, and to be able to do it despite the obstacles I faced is definitely something I’m proud of.”
What materials were used in the making of the garments?
“The textiles include a custom weave, custom printed bull denim, and hand sewn thrifted belts.”
Photos courtesy of Courtney Chapel, photos by Xavier Thompson.
Chapell’s hometown Colorado roots and Filipino heritage are beautifully portrayed in her collections garments. To keep up to date with Chapels collection and future work follow her Instagram.
Continuing on to designer Caroline Mesk right here from Atlanta, Georgia.
Caroline Scott
What got you into fashion?
“My love for dressing up as a kid, and making clothes for my American Girl Dolls. I’d knew decided on my major in 6th grade after someone gave me one of those sketchbooks with pages of blank croquis. This is ironic considering how much I dislike sketching now.”
Photos Courtesy of Caroline Scott, taken by Stella Temporal and Maia Helvey.
Title of the collection?
‘Doll Parts.’
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“I knew I wanted to do lingerie from the start, but settling on a concept was a long process. In short, it’s about the freedom and playfulness that comes with playing dress up. My love of vintage lingerie and corsetry, combined with the purchase of a very old trunk, finally brought everything together. I imagine my muse, Lydia, up in the attic of her very old home. She stumbles upon an old trunk that’s mysteriously appeared, and of course, has to open it. When she does, she discovers it’s filled with lingerie, decades old and clearly well-loved. The garments show signs of age and past repair but are still beautiful. She’s overcome with a sense of wonder and spends hours trying everything on.”
Photos courtesy of Caroline Scott, taken by Stella Temporal.
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“This collection has combined my lifelong love of playing dress up with my love of vintage lingerie, so it’s very personal. Playing dress up, draping on myself, and documenting it all was a huge part of the creative process. “Doll Parts” has been a year-long discovery of who I am as a designer. I don’t see this collection concluding as I graduate in a few weeks, but instead evolving into future collections.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“Creative burnout and being unsure of where to go next have been my biggest challenges. I’ve found the only way to get past it is to work through it. There’s no time to sit around thinking about what to do next, you have to just ‘do’ and trust you’ll stumble upon the answers. My advice, make “trust the process” your mantra.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“Getting past those creative blocks and discovering great ideas has been the most satisfying. As Professor Longshaw’s said, “You’ve got to become obsessed,” and I’m convinced that my obsession with this collection is what’s made it so successful. Staying curious and constantly looking for new ways to improve will keep you going.”
Photos courtesy of Caroline Scott, taken by Stella Temporal and Maia Helvey.
Who photographed the lookbook?
“I’ve worked with two photographers for this collection thus far, and I’m still planning a third shoot and film. I worked with Maia Helvy for the first shoot, a recent GSU grad. We shot on various kinds of film in a friend’s basement, they did such a great job capturing the ‘creepy attic’ vibe. For the second shoot, I worked with Stella Temporal to get some great line sheet photos for jury. These were shot digitally but Stella did a great job editing to give them that vintage feel.”
Scott’s lingerie collection is the perfect combination of vintage and sultry. Scott will be launching a lingerie brand this summer, so for anyone who’s wanting to purchase her work, keep your eyes peeled! You can do so by following her Instagram or collection page.
Genevieve (Zhuoran) Li
Next up, we had the privilege of hearing from Genevieve (Zhuoran) Li from China.
What got you into fashion?
“Doing fashion design is my childhood dream, because in the process of designing, I can find myself and promote my views and attitudes towards the world.”
Title of your collection?
“Psyche Synesthesia.”
Photos courtesy of Genevieve Li, taken by Sarah Eaves.
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“Genevieve Li‘s 2024 Spring/Summer collection, entitled ”Psyche Synesthesia,“ draws inspiration from the concept of musical synesthesia, where the stimulation of one sense triggers an emotional response. Li explores how individuals experience unique emotional responses to the same musical composition, revealing the intimate connection between the body, clothing, and emotional expression.”
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“It means a lot to me because the starting point of all my projects represents myself. I am a relatively strong and confident person. I hope to bring this spirit to other girls. In this project, I call on people to listen to their inner voice through each person‘s different emotional expressions. Because everyone It is a different soul. You should not care about the opinions of the world and follow the masses.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“Working with fabrics that I‘m not good at. You can tell from my projects that I’m good at working with thick fabrics like leather rather than thin fabrics like organza. I‘ve always had the too feminine stereotype of organza in the past. But since my fabric selection came from one of the synesthesia experiments – asking my friends to touch the fabric in front of them while listening to music to choose the most suitable. Among them one of it is organza. But I found that I can also put it It is not so feminine. And it’s soft texture and the hardness of the leather collide with a different feeling.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“I think my most successful place is to play black not so boring. Because I don’t want to make the almost all black collection look rigid. I use black and various materials of fabrics and special sewing techniques with the futuristic visualization prints I made combined together. This creates a cyberpunk vibe. I‘m happy to see my results.”
Photos courtesy of Genevieve Li, photos by Sarah Eaves.
Who photographed the lookbook?
Sarah Eaves.
Li’s collection is an electric representation of the different kind of emotional response humans feel towards music. To follow her on her fashion design journey you can follow her Instagram.
Manduo “Cherry” Chen
Manduo Chen, also known as Cherry, is from Hangzhou, China.
What got you into fashion?
“Born and raised in a female-dominated family in Hangzhou, China, my upbringing
heavily influenced my passion for fashion. Growing up, I was surrounded by strong,
independent women in my family, particularly my mother, who encouraged me to
explore my creativity leading to a discovery of my love for delicate and feminine
designs.”
Title of the collection?
“For Her.”
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“This collection was inspired by a photo album that I found in my room when I was
unpacking my moving boxes during my summer break. The album included many of
my family photos, mainly the female members (my mother, aunt, grandma, etc. )
and some photos of me and my kindergarten best friend who I am still in touch with.
Most of the photos were documentations of daily life scenes of me as a kid either with
or without them. I was looking for inspiration for my senior collection at the moment
and was struggling with what can keep me excited to create my designs. When
flipping through the album, many of the memories came to my mind and all of a
sudden, I knew what I wanted to do for my senior collection— a collection about
females around me.
I was raised mainly by the “mothers” in my family who not only
work very hard but also take really good care of me. These female figures play a very
important role in my life and I want to create a collection dedicated to them to show
my devotion and appreciation. As an international student who has spent almost eight
years outside my own country, it is not that easy to visit my family and friends in
China. I only have the opportunity to go back home during the long breaks.”
Photos Courtesy of Manduo Chen, taken by Ran Lu, Amit Chernichaw, Tayler Basemore, and Manduo Chen.
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“Through this collection, I would like to encourage people to always show their love
and appreciation for people they care about and hug them often if they can. This
collection is also a way of showing my perceptions of women’s relationships.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“Due to the fact that this is my first time working with knitwear, the most difficult
aspect of creating this collection will be finishing all of the knit pieces. I only learned
some basic techniques on how to use the knitting machine last summer and I had very
little knowledge on how knit garment construction works. Unlike woven fabrics,
knitwear is stretchable, which affects garment construction. Understanding how to
properly shape and structure knitted garments, including shaping techniques like
increases and decreases, is vital for achieving the desired fit and silhouette. There
were a lot of calculations involved during the process and I do not like doing math.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“My biggest success again is being able to finish this collection in time and see how
much I have learned about knitwear as I knit over the years. I was able to bring my
visions to live through experimenting with different yarns and techniques and in the
end, creating a cohesive collection that I am satisfied with.”
Photos Courtesy of Manduo Chen, taken by Ran Lu, Amit Chernichaw, Tayler Basemore, and Manduo Chen.
Who photographed the lookbook?
“Ran Lu, Amit Chernichaw, Tayler Basemore, Manduo Chen (and some photos I took with
my phone).”
Chen’s collection was one of only 30 collections chosen to be featured in this years fashion show that took place right here at SCADs Atlanta Campus. To keep up to date with Chens fashion career follow her Instagram.
Maliki Larray Gilbert
Maliki Larray Gilbert was born and raised in Miami, Florida.
What got you into fashion?
“Fashion was never really my first career interest, but art was always a love of mine. I always
wanted to be a veterinarian since I was little kid. When I got to high school and started
experimenting with my style and trying to find my identity, it felt good. It was fun. I got a ton of
complements on my style.
2013/2014 is when I started having interest in fashion, particularly
streetwear and drew fashion illustrations as a fun hobby. I admired Virgil Abloh, his work and
how he helped the industry gain popularity in high fashion. I also admired designer Jeremy Scott.
I ended up going to college to study veterinary technology after graduating in 2014. I only went
for a semester because I couldn’t afford it and ended up dropping out. I joined the military right
after and served 4 years in the Army. Throughout my service, I also got a lot of compliments on
my style and my peers always wanted me to help with theirs. They always told me fashion was
what I should be doing once I got out the military. So, I finished my service and enrolled at
SCAD in 2019 and pretty much fell in love.”
Title of the collection?
“GETAWAY. FALL/WINTER 2024.”
Sketches Courtesy of Maliki Larray Gilbert.
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“MALIKI. [mah-lih-ky], is a luxury phygital menswear label surrounding the concept of
futuristic streetwear. The GETAWAY. F/W 24 collection is an escape to the year 2222, taking place
in an advanced cybernetic civilization inspired by the sci-fi subgenre, cyberpunk, which combines
hacker and punk culture. So I took that concept and made it “fashion.”
Looks are divided into 3 character classifications: Metahuman, Halien, & Cyborg. Metahuman
looks focus on function and utility, always at the core of our designs. Halien looks incorporate
virtually textured prints and 3D printed spikes inspired by genetic manipulation through use of
biotechnology. And Cyborg looks focus on technology such as mechanical spines, LED
cybermask, & holographic accessories.
All design elements are taken into consideration with extensive research, AI generated prints
and graphics, superior quality & sustainable fabrics for extended garment life, surrealistic design
approaches and advanced technology. This entire collection embodies the future while
referencing the present, keeping garments forward, yet modern and wearable.”
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“This collection means a lot to me personally because the process was such an emotional
rollercoaster but it taught me so much and brought me joy at the same time. It means a lot
because I know my kid self would be so happy that we proved everyone wrong who doubted and
tried to quiet us. This collection means a lot because I’ve finally entered the industry I’ve admired
for so many years and I can officially call myself ‘a fashion designer’.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“The biggest challenge for me was the process. I made a lot of mistakes, worked with the wrong
people, and wasted a lot of money but it taught and prepared me for the real industry.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“The biggest success was bringing my vision and ideas to life and being able to open the SCAD
Atlanta fashion show and showcase my work to a ton of industry professionals. And most of all
ending college with a bang and great portfolio.”
Images Courtesy of Maliki Larray Gilbert.
Who photographed the lookbook?
“I worked with Alita Swanson who is a photographer at SCAD. I thought her aesthetic was perfect
for my cyberpunk concept and we ended up doing a super cool and futuristic campaign.” Look-book images have not yet been finalized.”
To keep up with Gilbert as he further ventures into the fashion industry you can find him on Linkedin and follow his Instagram.
Yuexi Zhang
Our final featured designer is Yuexi Zhang is from Beijing, China.
What got you into fashion?
“I believe that fashion is not just a beautiful shell for me, it brings much more than that to my mind. It can be used as a medium to express myself, to create my own design language through my worldview, to express my attitude towards life, my emotional state caused by something, my delicate relationship with things around me, and to recreate the fantasy and surreal images of my dreams. Fashion is a way for me to express myself to the outside world, and this fascinates me.”
Title of the collection?
“Otherworldly in dark fairy tales.”
Photos Courtesy of Yuexi Zhang, taken by Ran Lu.
What was your inspiration for the collection?
“When reality is hit by intense pressure, the unreal fairy tale can always be a place to provide respite, shelter, or solution. This bizarre dream-making mechanism leads me to try to explore and present the bizarre world that exists in the unconscious in the senior collection.”
What does this collection mean to you personally?
“It’s been an amazing adventure, a new chapter in my design career. I’m grateful that I was able to find my own style in this collection and bring many of my interesting ideas to life.”
Biggest challenge in creating the collection?
“The biggest challenge for myself while designing this collection was trying to represent each look to a creature that came to my mind, so realizing the wearability of these creatures I think was the most difficult. I wanted to make my collection fun, bold and innovative, but I was afraid of being too quirky and dramatic, which was a point I struggled to balance when conceptualizing the designs and making the accessories. And at the same time, I wanted it to be something that could be embraced by many stages of people.”
Biggest success in creating the collection?
“I think I succeeded in making all the creatures that appeared in my mind and in making them wearable.”
Photos Courtesy of Yuexi Zhang, taken by Ran Lu.
Who photographed the lookbook?
“The photographer who shot the look-book for me was Ran Lu @ran_xiaolu”
Zhang added “I would also like to thank my models for making this collection perfect and successful. Without them, the collection wouldn‘t have ended so well! The models are: Jack, Hailey, Stella, Trendy, and Elizabeth.” To see more on Zhangs collection and future work follow her Instagram.
A big round of applause is in order for the class of 2023 fashion design majors and the talented photographers that worked in collaboration with the designers in order to make their vision come to life through stunning images. Below you can see bio’s of some of the photographers these designers worked with.
Photographer Spotlight – Stella Temporal
Stella Temporal who was born and raised in Orlando, Florida.
What got you into photography?
“Growing up, I always knew I was always going to end up being a creative of some kind. When it came to photography, though. It just felt like I woke up one day and knew. At a time when I was very uncertain about my life, a passion for photography always stayed. I have a love for storytelling and people. Photography allows me to learn more about myself and others.”
How would you describe your photography style?
“Oh gosh! That’s a difficult question to answer at the moment. I’m currently trying to define myself as a photographer and artist. For now, I’ll just say I take pictures of whatever I want, however feels right to me. Larry Sultan once said the words “documentary fiction” while describing a photo series he had worked on observing why suburban life is so often the setting of choice when it comes to pornography. He used the contradicting dramatic set and lighting situations in these everyday, suburban homes which to send a deeper message about traumatizing a space and a person can be one in the same His thought process and approach resonated with me and he is a big inspiration to me and why i do what I do. Documentary Fiction.”
Favorite part about shooting fashion look-books?
“Oh it’s so much fun. I love collaborating and seeing two peoples work come to life. It’s the most satisfying feeling. Fashion photography gives me a chance to step into a different persona with every collection and allows me to challenge my artistry in different ways. I also just like helping other’s love themselves and their own masterpieces in a visual form. Nothing beats seeing a collection come to life on camera.”
Temporal concluded by saying “thank you for allowing me to speak freely about my art and what I love to do. If you are interested in seeing any of my past / up and coming work, follow me on social media.“
Xavier Thompson
Xavier Thompson is another of the talented photographer who shot many of the look-books.
What got you into photography?
“When I was younger, my grandmother gave me an old Polaroid camera, where my passion for photography began. When I was a junior in high school, I finally started to take photography seriously and have been doing so ever since. In the middle of my second year of college, I decided to apply to SCAD to study photography. Photography will continue strengthening my relationship with others and, most importantly, with myself. Storytelling is my lifelong love and primary means of expressing my creative side. My ability to explain to the world what I am thinking and feeling without using words has been made possible by my interest in photography.”
How would you describe your photography style?
“My previous style of photography has evolved into one that emphasizes narrative regardless of the subject matter since everything has the potential to be transformed into a story.”
Favorite part about shooting fashion look-books?
“The behind-the-scenes content that the majority of viewers don’t get to see, getting to know the designers on a personal level, and working closely with a crew to contribute to the creation of lighting, set design, or even simply location scouting are some of my favorite aspects of working on look-books.”
You can follow along with Thompsons photography by visiting his Instagram or visiting his website.
Ran Lou
Ran Lou from the LiaoNing province of China.
What got you into photography?
“I have always enjoyed taking photos, initially using my phone, but later I wanted to take photos in a more professional way. Because I am a fashion design major, my initial goal in photography was to prepare for my senior collection photography. So starting from the 2022 Fall (quarter), I made my first attempt to use a camera to take photos. Now I am increasingly fond of photography, especially portrait photography.”
How would you describe your photography style?
“It’s hard to describe, I feel that my style has always change and I have been keep searching for a clear definition of my own style. But I prefer portrait photography, with a minimalist style and a natural feel. But I also like some very cool styles. Due to my limited exposure to photography, I am still searching for my own style and continuing to try it out.”
Favorite part about shooting fashion lookbooks?
“I enjoy the filming process. During the photography process, I can collaborate with my model to find a great feeling, and seeing the finished film will be very fulfilling.”
