My sister and my brother-in-law, Augusta & Dario, got married on June 1st, 2023. They wanted custom tracksuits for the bridal party to wear during the wedding day that would be worn before changing for the evening ceremony/festivities. First, they wanted custom-tracksuits just for them. Then, Dario had this photo/video concept in mind that he wanted to create that was inspired by The Royal Tenenbaums. The matching tracksuit idea pivoted/expanded so the whole family would have matching tracksuits to wear. Working at Sergio Tacchini, I always have tracksuits on the brain, so I knew I could help bring their idea to life. I bought cream Sergio Tacchini tracksuits for the bride and groom, and navy Adidas tracksuits for the bridal party. We wanted the tracksuits to coordinate, but for the bride and groom to have their own stand-out cream color. I created a few embroidery artwork options for Augusta and Dario to approve, then created the final embroidery artwork for each tracksuit and handled getting the tracksuits embroidered locally in NYC for the big day as part of my wedding present to them. I loved getting to collaborative with them to execute their vision for their magical wedding day!! I present to you The Ortegas in tracksuit form.
At work, I am constantly researching trends for upcoming seasons. I think it’s important to also take time in my downtime to do trend/color research for fun and to find inspiration in mediums other than fashion. Recently one weekend, I took some time to research trends that inspired me. First, I show key trends for clothing and then if you keep scrolling I highlight key trends specifically for sweaters/knitwear.
Helmet Lang did a graphic t-shirt contest during COVID-19 to promote staying home, creativity, and to help people feel connected while being quarantined. I was very excited to take part of this contest because: a) I love the Helmut Lang brand already b) I can really get behind a brand that is promoting good health and supporting their community during these strange times by supplying creative outlets c) During these past few quarantined weeks, I've definitely turned to creativity to pass the time/keep me sane. I came up with a few designs but ultimately submitted my "Call Mom" graphic artwork. My main inspiration behind this design goes back to how important calling loved ones (and mom of course) is right now to check in on them and on their mental health. Even though we're all separated from one another currently; a simple phone call or FaceTime call can do wonders and help you be together in spirit. After HL received 2,250 submissions, I was one of the fourteen chosen finalists of the contest. Enjoy viewing and remember to CALL MOM!
Collaging plays a large part of my personal design ideation. For this exercise, I just had fun playing with potential silhouettes/graphics by collaging on top of croquis.
This capsule collection is all about creating trendy prints and sketching new silhouettes that could work for the Fall/Winter season. I grouped the technical flats by how I envision the pieces could be styled. Patterns and technical flats were created and drawn using Adobe Illustrator.
Photography Credit: Emma Craft
Scroll down to see the entire collection!
The collection started out being about the spirit of America, after I studied abroad in Hong Kong back in Spring 2016. Being there really made me think about what America meant to me. My thought process definitely started with poking fun at American ideals, a society where money reigns supreme. I wanted to communicate my version of America, where everyone is celebrated, through fashion.
The concept of my senior thesis collection is All-American: Redefined. Where I’m taking the “all-American” stereotypical definition and flipping it on its head. In Darby’s America-individuality reigns supreme. Girls aren’t afraid to be bold and because each of my looks are daring, it makes each one different but the same. Because we’re all different but the same.
There is an underlying tongue-in-cheek pageant theme because I think the Miss America pageant world/ "all-American" term have similar expectations. Where I took into account the different categories (evening wear, etc) and translated that into fashion. Making the collection all-inclusive. This bold, playful, cheeky collection is what it is to be “all-American” in Darby’s America.
Scroll down to see entire process book!
The collection started out being about the spirit of America, after I studied abroad in Hong Kong back in Spring 2016. Being there really made me think about what America meant to me. My thought process definitely started with poking fun at American ideals, a society where money reigns supreme. I wanted to communicate my version of America, where everyone is celebrated, through fashion.
The concept of my senior thesis collection is All-American: Redefined. Where I’m taking the “all-American” stereotypical definition and flipping it on its head. In Darby’s America-individuality reigns supreme. Girls aren’t afraid to be bold and because each of my looks are daring, it makes each one different but the same. Because we’re all different but the same.
There is an underlying tongue-in-cheek pageant theme because I think the Miss America pageant world/ "all-American" term have similar expectations. Where I took into account the different categories (evening wear, etc) and translated that into fashion. Making the collection all-inclusive. This bold, playful, cheeky collection is what it is to be “all-American” in Darby’s America.
Photography credit: Emma Craft
Darby T-Shirt & Money Skirt.
Screenprinted t-shirt with my name and a not-so-perfect pencil skirt with fun dollar sign snaps. $$$$$$
