2013 Designers:
Amy Garrison – SCAD
Amy’s vision involved using eyeglass frames, which resulted in a garment with a strong, structured shape. She straightened the earpieces of the eyeglasses to make long metallic shards, and then sewed them onto black boning along the bottom of the shirt and skirt. The contrast of the gold metal on the black fabric background enhances the gown’s boldness. Box-shaped panels of fabric emphasize the strict, cage-like form of the clothing. This garment is for a progressive woman who is not afraid to embrace her edgy side.
Modeled By: Mimi Mubaidin
Anna Gusselnikova – SCAD
The concept for my design is ‘Sea-Wolf’ or ‘becoming a man through the journey at sea’, based roughly on various novels by Jack London and Ernest Hemingway. Sailors work primarily with their hands, and put a lot of stress on their back, shoulders and torso. You will see this emphasized in my garment by the various lenses that are concentrated in those areas. I used canvas as material for the jacket to give the feeling of being part of the ship. The pants are crafted out of raw silk, giving the a very fluid drape reminiscent of the ocean. The rope serves as a metaphor for being tied to the ship, and an alcohol ink wash technique was used on my lenses to give them an aquatic feel.
Modeled By: Parker Barr
Grace Mimbs – SCAD
My design conception began with research on how bending rays of light enter the eye. The long, organic lines of soft pleating reference this in the final garment. I chose a very light, tinged yellow, diaphanous fabric to suggest the quality of beams of light.
The idea that vision does not only come from the outside in, but can come from the inside out, became my motivating inspiration for the design. Life and growth springing from an inner light -manifesting itself outwardly -I articulated with floral petals appearing to grow out from the body. I suspended layers of tinted lenses for this effect. The spines on the shoulder mirror imagery of the lionfish, which continued my inspiration of growth in nature. Ruffled tentacles of jellyfish were replicated with hanging columns of lenses down the waist. The sound created by the columns of lenses when the garment is in motion, echoes the energy and movement of my inspiration.
Modeled By: Anna Gusselnikova
Lily Johnson – Georgia Southern University
My dress was inspired by gold; it’s a pretty literal interpretation using gold lame´ fabric. I incorporated tulle and black organza to create the fullness in the hi-lo skirt and also the short overlay skirt. In last year’s competition, I played it safe but this year I wanted to show an exuberant piece and really make a memorable impression. I’ve used many broken sunglass lenses to create a ‘jeweled’ or ‘shattered’ motif which turned out even better than I could have imagined. The dress is my original creation from top to bottom- from draping, patterning out the pieces, to sample making and finally the end result.
Modeled By: Rachel Hearn
Ryanne Frazier and Erica Garcia – SCAD
Our dress is a conglomeration of two separate visions. Ryanne’s inspiration comes from her warm memories of her hometown, Billings, Montana. Thinking of summertime there and the warm sunsets that reflected off of my sunglasses, is where we discovered our color palette and the main armature of our design. Erica was inspired by our own generation of rebellious women, who are confident in their own skin. The structure of the base of our design came from this concept.
Both of our inspirations came together successfully by mixing rough and soft materials. We wanted to incorporate a bralette or a leotard to give off the feeling of being ‘free’ yet ‘rebellious’ by showing some skin, but in a tasteful manner. We used eye glasses, polyester chiffon and toile to achieve this avant-garde look.
Modeled By: Hayley Mueller
Nicole Hebron – SCAD
Metallic madness other-worldliness rushes over this dress with an allover silver color. The dress itself shines like the Night Sky, perfect for the event- Night of Spectacles. The 50’s style mod dress patterns were draped and created by fashion student Nicole Hebron herself. The garment is made out of a sliver pleather blend fabric, with eye glass arm pieces and lenses sewn throughout.
The straps are made from a sliver belt trim with clear plastic ruffles mixed in with the glasses arms. The arms were put into petal shapes, each one with sliver metal jewelry pieces individually glued on top, starting from biggest and then trimmed down to complement the deep cut V-neck. All along the bottom is the fun! Decked out with a double layer of lenses, each drilled to allow for key chain rings to dangle the lenses.
Modeled By: Courtney Yalen
Raquel Jenkins – Georgia Southern University
My dress is a sleeveless gown made out of a royal blue crepe fabric, black lace, and lined with gray stretch sateen. The lace yoke of the dress is covered with metallic gold lenses.
Modeled By: Amber Johnson
Miranda Goswick- Southern Polytechnic State University
I wanted to make a gown that makes a woman feel fun and sexy. I love anything that sparkles so I decided to make a dress that stands out and shines. My garment is a simple black dress in stain with an open back and an A-line skirt. I decided to use the entire lens, which I then covered in gold glitter. These are affixed to the dress in a fading pattern and really pop against the background. The design is fun but still classic so that anyone could wear it and feel fabulous.
Modeled By: Dr. Anna Kao
Meka Bennett – Clark Atlanta University
My design was inspired by the 1800’s elaborate and colorful military uniforms, fitted jacket bodice with full skirt attached. I incorporated lenses along with sequins and other finding to embellish the jacket and epaulets.
Modeled By: Dr. Amy Hutchinson
Brooke Riley – Southern Polytechnic State University
This is my senior year as an Apparel and Textiles major. I have a flair for avant-garde styles, my designs are fashion forward and not typical ready to wear clothes. Much of my inspiration comes from the designer Alexander McQueen. My entry in this year’s competition is a gown which is futuristic and bold.
Modeled By: Stephanie Florez
Oliver Zachary Selby – SCAD
The dress I have designed was inspired by layers in nature and objects that surround us. I explored different natural elements such as air and bark from a tree, with this I decided my gown would have a contrasting look with both hard and soft themes. Each lens is hand painted with nail polish to give it a textured look to resemble the bark. Holes were drilled through each lens which were then individually hand sewn into the chiffon base. The bottom of the dress is meant to look soft so I used ruffles and peach colored chiffon to give it a light airy feel. By making the top darker with the grey-blue colored lenses, it resembled a hard texture, giving the dress the contrast I was looking to depict.
Modeled By: TBD
Candace Weslosky-Miller – Clayton State University
Candace’s inspiration behind this dress was “goddess”. Knowing that she was given one of her favorite doctors on the runway this year, she felt it only right to give her a striking full floor length ball gown. Candace is completely self-taught and has never been formally trained in design or sewing techniques. This dress took over 100 hours to construct as each Swarovski crystal and shimmering glass lens were hand placed. You will notice also the lace appliquéd on the back of the dress just above the pleated bottom, as well as a royal blue satin underlay, the top overlay of the dress is hand dyed gradient tinted chiffon. All jewelry, handbag, and hair pieces were handmade. This is Candace’s third year participating as a designer at the Night of Spectacles.
Modeled By: Dr. Karen Sumers
Carmen Osorio Lugo – SCAD
As a fashion scientist I constantly wonder about the future, about what is next to come. Technology will obviously play a large role in this, there are so many ways in which it has and will continue to change our daily lives. When I decided to make this piece, I thought about the next technological achievement that will help people to see well. I imagine that in 50 years people will be able to see as well as a mosquito: “in kaleidoscope”. Lenses will become robotic, possibly using even lasers that will allow the users to zoom in and out from all angles. This vision of mine inspired me to incorporate a silhouetted kaleidoscope collage as a futuristic skeleton piece.
Modeled By: Patricia Machado Lugo
Jennifer Lehner – SCAD
When you look at the night sky the stars twinkle and stand out, which is what I wanted to replicate with my gown. I decided to break the lenses and place them throughout the layers of tulle. This created the depth that we see when we look at the night sky, something beautiful we could not witness without our sight. The silhouette is inspired by a 1950′s Balenciaga garment. The designer split the dress into two separate pieces, but was still classic and elegant throughout in keeping with his style. I wanted my gown to envelope the audience and surround them with the peace that we feel under the stars.
Modeled By: Maelyn Kahn Divinski
Sahar Reddick – Clark Atlanta University
The look for my gown was inspired by men’s tuxedo styles and feminine red carpet glamour. As a designer I enjoy playing with contradictions to bring a sophisticated edge to women’s designs. Playing with the two contradicting elements provides an enjoyable challenge. It is my wish that viewers will see elegance and strength through the gown’s structure and embellishments.
Modeled By: Dr. Kristen Daniel
Melanie Woodroffe – Independent Designer
My design is based on the rich shades & flowing styles of my model’s heritage. The bright, beautiful colors of Jaipur & Budapest were the inspiration behind this three piece design. The garment is a teal blue sheath dress with a fuchsia cape edged in teal blue and gold with gold Punjab pants, paired with gorgeous original Indian jewels. Melanie is the creator & owner of Capitol de Beaute Style Blog and a 3rd year volunteer for Lions Lighthouse Foundation.
Modeled By: Dr. Anisa Threlkeld
Lacie Cormick – Clark Atlanta University
I love snow and ice, I wanted to translate this in my creation for The Night of Spectacles. My garment is a two piece white look. The upper portion is a draped over-sized cropped top paired with a high-waist wide leg culotte pant. Both pieces are embellished with crushed lenses for detailing.
Modeled By: Dr. Vidya Phoenix
Emanise Jean-Gilles – Clark Atlanta University
My design is a sweet and sophisticated peg legged dress. The dress enhances my models figure. I’ve attached the lenses on to the dress as embellishments in a pattern-like form and crushed them for the collar. In the back there is a long exposed gold teeth zipper which lengthens the model.
Modeled By: Fatema Esmail
Alexia Cooper – Georgia Southern University
Magna Barens – SCAD
Briana Sam – Clark Atlanta University
