FASHION

BY JANICE LEWINE

— amed clothing designer Kenzo Takada once said, “Fashion is like eating; you shouldn’t stick with the same menu.” For some students in

North Carolina State University’s College of Design, mixing up their fashion “menu” has become an important part of their education.

Each year, these young people create bold innovations for Art2Wear, a student-led runway show now in its 21st year that is organized by the College of Design’s Art + Design department. The largest fashion showcase of its kind in the

Southeast, Art2Wear encourages participants to express their point of view on a given theme through fashion, fusing the talents of several departments in the College of Design and beyond, and inspiring students to blend their technical skill with innovative technology.

Art2Wear organizers define fashion a a product or sculptural piece that interacts with the body and serves as either a cultural artifact, an artistic expression, a reflector of society or a body covering Najeel Range, student director of Art2Wear, says designers are encouraged to explore materials and be adventurous with their

creations. “It’s not ready to wear, it’s art to wear,” she says.

After presenting virtually the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, Art2Wear returned as a live runway show on April 27 in NCSU’s Stewart Theatre. This year’s theme was “dissonance”—the discomfort that arises

from conflicting beliefs, values or attitudes and it struck a contemporary chord for 700-plus audience members as 10 designers wowed them with their fashion feats.

Range proposed the theme based on the nation’s differing perceptions about the pandemic and other present-day situations. “We’re in this weird, gray area as a society,” she says. “For designers, what do they come in conflict with and how do the

think about the things that don’t match up? It’s exciting to see that form into 3D art.”

Chiana Royal, a sophomore majoring in fashion design and an Art2Wear participant for two years, says her creations are often influenced by concepts unelated to fashion. “My last two collections were both heavily inspired by psychology,” she says. “This year, my collection was inspired by female archetypes and explores the ways in which women are viewed by society. It tells the tale of women who embrace their inner discord, who revel in nonconformity and irregularity. I find that, oftentimes, when one pairs fashion with unexpected, nuanced concepts, you can create something both evocative and thought-provoking.”

Leah Hauser, a senior in the Art + Design department with a concentration in fiber and soft construction, created a collection that expresses a hardship many experience. “My collection is a visual translation of one’s journey navigating high-functioning depression,” she says. “Inspired by this year’s theme, dissonance, I knew this would become my concept and I am grateful to not only educate my viewers through this collection, but also share my personal

narrative as someone with these hardships. There is an abnormal sense of dissonance in highfunctioning depressed people’s lives as they externally appear average, while simultaneously struggling with depression internally.”

“My designs are very experimental in terms of surface design,” Hauser continues. “I have screen-printed my garments’ patterns, used appliqué, reverse appliqué, bead embroidery, goldwork, trapunto and several other fiber manipulation technique throughout my collection. I hope my audience can see the exploration I took into surface design and appreciate how these techniques relate back to the concept behind them. I also hope that my viewers can consider my concept thoroughly, and remember to check in with their loved ones and their mental health.”

Art2Wear engages the student body, the Raleigh community and the broader design industry through its juried review process. Designers are eager to receive feedback about their art from seasoned experts as they work to present a collection of fiv to seven garments on the catwalk. “Whether or not they fully make it into the show as a designer—that depends on some of the criteria that’s put in place,” Range says.

Kate Greder, assistant professor and faculty advisor for Art2Wear, says catwalk winners aren’t always ensembles you can wear out and about for routine activities. “The things that make it to the runway push the boundaries of what is wearable art,” she explains. “This is not an apparel design show. We’re looking for avantgarde—that’s been one of the biggest criteria. We all wear clothes and we all communicate with our clothes. Fashion is constantly changing and evolving, and this group reflects that it’s really alive.”

Art2Wear’s success also depends on students who donate their talents in photography, videography, exhibition and fundraising. Graphic design student Megan Brown, who helped create the branding and program booklet for this year’s show, wants audiences to understand the explorative nature each piece of clothing displays. “Clothing has been a way for people to start conversations and to challenge the status quo,” she says. “Art2Wear is a way for designers to present different viewpoints and start conversations about the themes they are addressing. I hope the audience can look at everyone’s creations and listen to the conversations they’re having with each piece.”

Royal praises Art2Wear for her growth as a fashion designer. “I’ve already seen so much progress in my skills. I hope that my designs convey that with enough ambition, anyone can set their minds to creating beautiful art.”

Photos of this year’s Art2Wear show were not available as of press time for publication in this issue.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Left: Designer Quinan Dalton prepares a model for the runway. Right: Ensemble created by designer Abby Redus.

THIS PAGE: Ensembles in the top and bottom photos created by designer Quinan Dalton.

All photos courtesy of Art2Wear.