Amy is a Fashion Merchandising and Design and a Professional Writing major; graduating in Fall 2023.
No brand; Portfolio website: https://amyjvogelaar.com/
Wrap Crop Top and Bustle Pants:
This design started with fabric selection. I found the beautiful green satin fabric on sale and the floral pattern lent itself so well to an oriental-inspired design, that I knew I'd be taking cues from Asian clothing. The wrap top was based on Japanese kimonos and Chinese Tang styles. It is a completely original pattern, fully lined with repurposed cotton fabric and a slit organza yoke. The trims are all hand-made box pleats, made with the same organza fabric as the bows. The bottoms use a base pair of flared slacks that have a triangle inset of the green satin. The satin is bustled up using lengths of sewn-in elastic and lined with a double-edging of box pleats.
Modern Saree Top and Bloom Skort (Alicia):
My main inspiration for this look was the Indian saree. Typically, sarees are worn with a cropped shirt underneath, then the cloth is pleated, wrapped around the body, and draped over the left shoulder. In this case, pearl and gold rose-themed buttons are used as the closures. To stand out against my model's skin tone and make sure the fabric has enough structure, the main fabric for the crop top and shorts is a stiff white twill. To help bring in the flats, the pleated material is white satin. The asymmetric elements are made with a white heritage cotton that incorporates subtle flower patterns.
When this white outfit reaches full "bloom," the boned half-skirt made from a steel hoop skirt lengthens, expands, and makes the skirt symmetric to reveal a bright orange tulle and cotton underskirt. The added piece employs an elastic waistband and orange ribbon to tie through the belt loops. Another adjustment to the outfit is the replacement of the white shoulder drape with a longer orange cotton drape sandwiching a foam cutout to provide proper shaping.
My personal style runs along the lines of Punked Traditional. I get my inspiration from the traditional garb of different cultures that I'm familiar with or interested in, such as Asian and medieval fashion and then give them some modern twists. I find it even more enjoyable when I get to design with an individual or event in mind to compliment specific body types, make visual statements, or challenge my design and construction skills.