Roots of the Future: College of Design Senior Show

Hannah Weer

Little Black Dress Reinvented

Silk Dupioni/Polyester

Ellsworth, WI

B.S. clothing design

Drawing inspiration for new designs has been my passion. I feel that it is always the initial sketch that is most important in guiding my design into being something not only tangible, but uniquely my own from beginning to end. To me the goal of design has never been about who can get away with the most outrageous or extreme, but rather about taking it a step farther from the present. I am motivated by the free range of possibilities for me as a designer, but more importantly, I am motivated by my ability to bring someone confidence by wearing my designs. I believe that if you feel great in what you are wearing, it is going to look great. I chose to create clothing that is classic, yet contemporary, and add elements that are simplistic, yet unique. Also, a flattering fit, comfort, and functionality are always of priority to my designs.

 

The inspiration that I derived from my visual research is consistently relevant to my target market, which is a young, creative professional woman with a realistic budget. Each image that I collected during my research reminded me of certain facets of this customer. The most important thing to me was to embody the positive portrayal of a successful woman with a strong personality, regardless of body type or income. I wanted to build upon the endless possibilities of the color black, focusing on its values of flattery and functionality. I strongly believe in simplicity versus innovation, so it was important for me to emphasize the differentiation between these two concepts, while still embodying both in one piece. 

This particular garment is my version of the “little black dress” reinvented.  It represents the sensuality of women, which I believe to be the ultimate power of our gender.  The silk material of the garment depicts the femininity of a woman, as it is soft and flows with her movements, while the chains represent the power of her sexuality and audacious personality. In a utilitarian sense, this garment is multi-functional for a variety of occasions. It can be dressed up with stilettos and tights for a night in downtown, or dressed down with jeans and a tank top for a shopping excursion. In any occasion, this garment signifies versatility and individuality in wearing it according to personal taste and confidence.