THE Villain
*Click on images to expand*
California State University, Long Beach
2024 Campus Couture Fashion Show
This collection, THE Villain, tells a story of becoming a “Villain.” As someone who struggles with anxiety, it can be crushing and hard to show who I really want to be. Reflecting on my own struggles and how I want to be as a person, we will see the progression of facing internal struggles to emerging as a confident and independent person. Through color symbolism, garment construction, and fabric sourcing, a story will be told through 7 looks/stages: THE Innocent, THE Pressure, THE Anxiety, THE Destruction, THE Survivor, THE Rebirth, THE Villain.
Look #1
THE Innocent
Model: Envee Lin Alice
Photography by: IG @cj.tteo
Description: THE Innocent takes on a childlike appearance through the volume of the dress and the bow details. Black and dark purple were used as symbolism to kick off the story that is being told through this collection. Black represents power and confidence, something kids have. However, purple, a color typically seen as power and luxurious, is used negatively as unstable and restricting to represent anxiety or mental struggles which are starting from the pressures of outside influence.
Look #2
THE Pressure
Model: Jasmine Chung
Photography by: IG @cj.tteo
Description: THE Pressure continues the colors of THE Innocent. Using Pattern Magic: Stretch Fabrics by Tomoko Nakamichi for the top part of the underdress, it takes on the illusion of heaviness and weight through the fabric and the gathers of the sleeves. The handkerchief silhouette of the dress has additional drawstrings at all the princess seams to add to the weight and allows for different options of styling. The dress is then accessorized with a pointed corset with the garment adding the feeling of constriction and tightness as another feeling of pressure. This black silk, rayon velvet corset has been hand deColourant/bleached out with a geometric tangle of lines, which were then redyed to match the purple of the dress. This pattern starts to show the internal mental struggle and chaos.
Look #3
THE Anxiety
Model: Anahi Zapata
Photography by: Philip Garcia/IG @philipxgarcia
Description: When going through anxiety, it can feel suffocating. It is a tangle that is hard to undo. Taking this feeling into consideration, I crocheted a webbed dress with chains of crocheted mesh that were then entangled with one another. This crocheted overlay shows a state of vulnerability. The purple yarn is used to continue the representation of mental struggles. However, the fabric used for the top and skirt color shifts between purple and green. The introduction of green begins the process of growth because with these struggles comes growth.
Look #4
THE Destruction
Model: Kaliya Trias
Photography by: IG @cj.tteo
Description: Continuing with the color shifting fabric, a metallic green and purple shifting mesh was used on top of a black base. THE Destruction is meant to look destroyed as if going through a battle, therefore, the garment is cut up, raw edged, and tied together in certain areas. The color black reappears in this look to show that confidence is starting to come through after starting to fight and overcome one’s mental struggles.
Look #5
THE Survivor
*Selected for presentation at the 2024 ITAA Design Exhibit*
Model: Rilee Roberts
Photography by: IG @cj.tteo
Description: This stage represents surviving and overcoming those mental struggles. I wanted to build an atmosphere, as if crawling out of a battlefield, therefore a jagged and asymmetrical silhouette was used. The handkerchief skirt is made from tulle to give the feeling that layers of fabric have been torn off. This feeling is also portrayed in the top with one side being sleeveless with a flap to represent the destroyed armhole and an armband that represents the idea of belonging. Dyeing was used to create the top fabric, so colors can remain cohesive with the tulle and to create a surface design that is unique to how it feels to overcome a mental struggle (something hazy and distant, but near). Purple is still seen in hints of the tulle skirt representing how even though the battle has ended, it still lingers. Focusing more on the green color representing growth, it is a dominant color in the look along with black. Black represents the power and confidence that is gained through the growth of facing these mental struggles. You are starting to find who you are and who you want to be!
Look #6
THE Rebirth
Model: Maggie Kouch
Photography by: Philip Garcia/IG @philipxgarcia
Description: Like snake shedding skin, this look is the emergence of a new person. After the battle and growth, the confidence starts to shine, hence the all black look. The bridal satin used creates the leathery look of something shiny and new. The lace up top and asymmetrical skirt adds to the idea of a new aura exuding confidence.
Look #7
THE Villain
Model: Laraib Ejaz
Photography by: IG @cj.tteo
Description: Designed to look like a fantasy royal, THE Villain is the most confident self. Exuding the peak of confidence, THE Villain is elegant yet alluring with its peek-a-boo cut out, open back, and a dress slit. To differentiate the all black confidence look from THE Rebirth, a glitter black fabric was used to make it feel more ethereal and crystal like. Crystals are strong and tough like the confidence that is hoped to be reached at the end of this journey. This can also be seen in the handmade resin crystal crown where each crystal was made and then set into a headband.
Fashion & Costume Designer