Fashion Schau 7 was put on as a philanthropy event supporting Dress for Success Columbus. Our design team was inspired by the year’s theme “(de)Construct” to use materials gathered from pieces of bridge models, destroyed as part of a class assignment. We reconstructed the broken bridges as a skirt cage and a vest, and chose to weave rope through the pieces, as if they are holding together the broken trusses. Produce bags, manipulated to appear pleated and layered to create the opaque lavender color, make up the voluminous skirt and sleeves to contrast the harsh structural aesthetic with something softer. The first look began with the construction of a hoop skirt, from hula hoops and latticed string, to support the tiers of manufactured tulle. A similar construction method is used in the sleeves of the second look. The outfits feature undergarments made of rope and paper grocery bags, and rope is also used to secure the balsa garments to the models by means of corseting. The two looks were awarded both first prize and the people's choice award.
