The Collective Magazine’s very own Kayela Daniel sat down with me twice to discuss the collection of evening gowns she created for the Appalachian State University Apparel Design and Merchandising Showcase. I spoke to her before the showcase to learn about what she had created and followed up after the event to hear her reflections and final thoughts about the experience.
Before the Showcase
Q: What is the collection you’ve created called?
A: I don’t actually have a name for it. I did think about it because I’m planning on doing photoshoots and putting an editorial together. It is inspired from my home country, the Philippines. So, I was thinking of naming it “Island Queens.”
Q: So, it was inspired by your home country?
A: Yeah, it was. But also beauty pageants. I, you know, watch them every year, Miss Universe, so it’s mainly former contestants of Miss Universe: Philippines.
Q: Were there any challenges when creating your collection, other than the stress?
A: Definitely. I challenged myself to make more intricate designs and designs that, kind of, hug your body. So, it’s a lot of just very precise measurements. Also, making sure that the models are comfortable in those gowns, just because they’re so intricate. I would just say time management and measuring how much time I actually needed to make these garments, too.
Q: How long have you had to create this?
A: I started at the very beginning of the semester, all the way from the sketching process. It was already from the get go as soon as I started Studio 4, and I’m still on it right now. So, this is a whole semester's work of just collections.
Q: What sets your collection apart from anything we’re gonna see at the showcase?
A: I’m the only Filipina doing my designs based on my heritage. There’s a lot of other designers doing cultural elements with their designs. I guess what sets me apart is that I’m mixing my collection with something other than my culture, which is evening gowns and beauty pageants, which is so relevant to my home country because we’re really huge fans of it.
Q: What specific message are you trying to get across with your collection?
A: I honestly wanted to just pour myself into this collection. Again, this is a whole semester's worth of just constantly working and perfecting my collection. I don’t really have anything specific to say other than that I just want myself to be shown through this. My culture is a big part of who I am, and I want to make sure that people understand that and how much it means to me.
After the Showcase
Q: How are you feeling about the showcase now that it has happened?
A: It’s definitely a huge weight off my shoulder, but also bittersweet. I feel like that was my prime as an ADM major. I am really glad that all of the work is done and it’s something that I don’t have to worry about anymore, but I definitely miss that feeling of preparing for such a huge event for me.
Q: If you could sum up the experience in a few words, how would you?
A: A combination of hectic, but also memorable, and just really fun for me.
Q: What was your favorite part of the event?
A: I would say when my collection came out. It was funny, I think my models were calming me down. I was definitely way more nervous than they were. But, once I heard the audience and saw how comfortable my models were, I was in a much better mood. But, that was my favorite part, finally getting my collection out there, on the runway.
Q: Was it nice to see the collection of your fellow ADM majors?
A: Oh, for sure! I’ve had those people in my class for years and I’ve grown with them. So, to also see them with their collections and see how far they’ve come is just kind of a real feeling. I know they feel way about me too, seeing how much growth there was in each other, so that was also one of the memorable parts of the showcase.
Q: Was there anything you would have done differently?
A: I don’t think so. I mean, that showcase was four years worth of practice and experience for me in fashion design. The best I could do is just be proud of myself. Of course, there’s probably some things I could change design-wise, but overall the experience is just going to be such a core memory now that I just don’t wanna have any regrets for it.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say as a closing statement after four years of being an ADM student?
A: To my former classmates, just thank you. I wouldn’t have done it without any of them. There’s people that I’ve been friends with for years and there’s people that I became friends with through this experience, and I’m grateful for both of them. To any future ADM student, I know there’s a lot of excitement, but also worry in some of you, but I just know that they’re all going to do great. Every year they do great.
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