02 26 21 Artsthread Editorial Saddaryle Stephens

ArtsThread February 26, 2021 “ArtsThread Member Sadarryle Stephens Q&A- Fashion.

Inspired by African American Culture” Sadarryle Stephens, MFA in Fashion Design, discusses in her interview the challenges she faced star ng her MFA without a founda on in fashion design and how Black Lives Ma er and African-American culture inspired her fashion collec on Mother Drip.

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Sadarryle Stephens & her collection Mother Drip We interviewed ARTSTHREAD member Sadarryle Stephens, a graduating Fashion MFA student from the Academy of Art University. We discuss the challenges she faced starting an MFA without a foundation in fashion design, how Black Lives Matter and African American Culture inspired her fashion collection Mother Drip and what she loved most about creating the collection as well as her plans for the future.

See Sadarryle ARTSTHREAD PORTFOLIO. ARTSTHREAD: Please tell us a little about how you came to study at Academy of Art University?

SADARRYLE: I opened my millinery shop shortly after getting my bachelor’s degree in Science and I knew I wanted to fully invest in my journey of becoming a fashion designer, but I didn’t want to relocate. So, I searched for a school that I could do just that. And what really drew me to Academy of Art University was that I could start where I was currently in life. I didn’t have to start from scratch with another bachelors.

ARTSTHREAD: What was the focus of your MFA final thesis work?

SADARRYLE: In the height of all the Black Lives Matter protests last year, I didn’t want to make a political statement. I wanted to somehow bring joy and light to the world while representing myself. Motherland Drip is my personal love note to the African American Culture. We are colorful, bold, creative people that are filled with style and grace. It is in our swag, in our hair, and in our blood. For this collection, I wanted to celebrate us and celebrate our history as a people.

ARTSTHREAD: What were the challenges of working online? and how did you overcome them?

SADARRYLE: One of my main challenges was not having a foundation in fashion design.

At the beginning of the program, I had to learn an awful lot, but I loved that my instructors were there for me, encouraged me, and fought for me. Also, early on, I “met” a few classmates that became my tribe. Any additional help that I needed, I could call on them and they had my back. It was also tough not to have my instructors close by physically. I am a visual person that likes to ask a million questions and sometimes the feedback given was written out. I had a few instructors that took time out of their busy day to send video clips and I made appointments for video calls. Those extra 15 minutes, or more, really helped me out!

ARTSTHREAD: Which aspects of creating the collection did you enjoy most? and what did you learn?

SADARRYLE: I loved the entire process! From coming up with shapes to drape for inspiration to creating my own fabric prints. But I would have to say I enjoyed seeing my ideas all come together in the end. For the past 3 years, I have only designed and created for the dress form. No one has worn my garments before. Seeing it on someone after fitting it was amazing to me! I have leaned to trust the process. I allowed my ideas to morph into what it needed to be instead of forcing them to what I wanted. In the end, I am beyond pleased!

ARTSTHREAD: What are your future plans?

SADARRYLE: Now that I found my design voice, I plan to continue to build up and strengthen my skillset. There’s so much more that I want to learn! A goal that I want to reach is to become a head-to-toe designer and I am well on the way to becoming such. While working on my skillset, I am also preparing to move abroad post-covid. Ever since middle school, I wanted to live abroad and fashion design is a career that can fit anywhere in the world.

ARTSTHREAD: Thank you Sadarryle!

Check out Sadarryle ARTSTHREAD PORTFOLIO. Learn more about MFA Fashion at Academy of Art University on ARTSTHREAD and also from the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University website.