Heavenly Creatures Collection 2017 - Bentley University "Dare to be Bold" Show

Models, in order of runway appearance: Victoria, Ashmare, Lynn, Samita, Valerie, Andrea, Mari, Daiana, Essmaa, Ashley

I want to start off by saying that the show I did with Bentley University's Black United Body was one of the best fashion show experiences I've had so far in my career doing runway shows. The show was well-organized and everyone working on the show was so helpful. Usually I am hesitant to do shows where I have to share models with other designers (the last show where I had to do this my models were being sent on the runway before everyone was fully dressed and ready to go), but the BUB was there backstage helping models change clothes and making sure EVERYONE was ready before even starting my scene and hitting the runway, which I greatly appreciated. The energy of the show was so great

So now I'll move on to the inspiration behind the collection. I'll admit, I didn't name the collection until after the show, after the original collection was finished. The name "Heavenly Creatures" was inspired by the Kate Winslet film of the same name, which is about one of New Zealand's most infamous crimes. I realize this kind of gives the collection a morbid undertone, but the connection is tied more to the aesthetic and feel of the film, rather than the content of it. The film itself has a feminine feel to it, with something darker and harder lying underneath the surface. While designing the collection, I wanted it to have an extremely feminine look, but to still make the wearer feel powerful. Delicate, yet still bold. When I looked at my models dressed in the collection, moments away from stepping onto the runway, the words "heavenly" "doll-like" "angelic" etc. entered my mind, yet each of them walked and posed with a presence that demanded attention, which almost immediately drew me back to Heavenly Creatures. In the film, the two main characters are portrayed physically as young and feminine, yet just below the surface, they are cold and dangerous. I wanted this delicate, girly collection to go hand-in-hand with boldness and fearlessness and I hope that I have achieved that and communicated my ideas accurately.

For this collection, I kind of went back to my original designer roots, which exhibits an aesthetic that is definitely more soft and feminine compared to some of my more recent collections. Though I did stick to what comes naturally when I design in general, which was drawing inspiration from the fabrics I had. Recently, I've been experimenting with upcycling, which is when you take an old garment and take it apart to make something new out of it. I was able to do this with a few pieces from this collection. In addition to recycling old garments, I also recycled some old fabrics I've had lying around for a few years. A few examples:
-Pink lace top: I've had this pink lace fabric since my sophomore year in college. I originally used it for my Flat Pattern final garment.
-Gold brocade: I originally used this gold brocade fabric when I worked as a costume designer on Framingham State's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This fabric was used for Hippolyta's wedding dress. I rediscovered it in one of my fabric bins recently, and actually ended up going back to the fabric store I originally got it from to get more of it because I loved it so much.
-Mint brocade palazzos: Judging by the stitching on the top of the original piece of fabric, the mint green brocade fabric definitely used to be a giant curtain. I'll admit that I love using upholstery fabrics, even though it kind of makes my stuff look like couches (or so my mom tells me).
-Black sequins: The black sequin fabric originally came from a dress that a friend gave to me to upcycle.

That about wraps up what this collection was all about to me. Thank you for reading if you've read this far, and a huge thank you again to Bentley University and Black United Body for having me in their fashion show!

I'll be showing an extended version of this collection, with 5 new pieces being added, at the Liberty Hotel in Boston on Thursday, April 27th, so make sure you come check it out!