VDR Show - Virginia Tech 2024

EJ Bell

Elijah "EJ" Bell Yorktown, is from VA and majoring in FMD. He is expected to graduate in 2024.

Brand Design

NINETEEN Red V, @nineteen.red.v on Instagram. Designed to define beauty in catastrophe and restore previous movements in fashion.

About the Design

Both garments were originally going to be crafted to be one-of-one pieces designed specifically for each model I have. Due to time restraints and availability, each look had to be altered to fit with the overall theme of the show, but still contain their own strengths of focusing on styling and garment construction.

The women’s outfit resembles an eye-catching red shawl that captures the natural beauty of a rose and combines this with the aesthetics of the well-known raw looks of the street style and the elegant yet classy look of the business casual attire. Materials used within the outfit, such as the dramatic lace arm sleeves and shiny red shawl with the matching rose bel, attempt to capture the eyes upon coming across the outfit for viewers to look closely at the small details.

The other outfit is designed to be worn by the male model and resembles the before and after looks of the lifecycle of a dandelion after it goes through maturity. The fluffy, bright yellow vest is how the flower initially looks in the beginning stages of its life, while the cream-colored sweater worn underneath represents the end stages of the dandelion when it starts to spread its seeds. Designated areas were slit into the pants and were stitched to resemble the flower’s stem and leaves and how they flow in the wind as the model walks down the runway. Different colors and textures were used to differentiate the several types of materials that were used when constructing the garment.

Remember the last time something was so beautiful that it left you in awe? Or what about the last time you spent time looking at something as simple as flowers that have bloomed? Think of a flower that shows and represents passionate romantic feelings that fill the heart with warmth and joy, and then think of a flower that shows clarity and inner peace within the mind and soul. The deep, rich color of a red rose can have the ability to stop one in their tracks since it is something that stands out well because of its eye-catching beauty. It represents feelings of love and passion for one and sometimes is given as a gift to significant others, leaving them speechless.

The uniqueness of a dandelion is one of the only flowers that spread off seeds in the wind upon being blown on by an individual or from mother nature's natural occurrences. It can be defined by several spiritual meanings across many cultures and traditions, but the most known representations of the flower are clarity and inner peace. It is also used to represent the soul of one’s journey as one finds their way through the difficulty of certain times.

For more information and insight on this fashion presentation, along with other projects, click here! https://ebellport.square.site/