Written and photographed by Charlytte Morrone
This summer, the fashion students of the Lacoste, France study abroad program were in for a surprise. At the start of the second week, they were told designers Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters from Creatures of the Wind were coming to do a workshop with them. Along came guests Lynn Yaeger from Vogue.com, Jamie Beck — photographer of Ann Street Studios — and Paula Wallace herself. Students paired off and created a collection with a collaborative theme, professional sketches and a mood board in three days. In preparation, SCAD flew in former chair of the fashion and accessory design departments Carmela Spinelli to personally coach all of the students.
Day One:
The brains behind the design team of Creatures of the Wind introduced themselves and spent a generous amount of time explaining where and how they obtain their inspiration and how that translates into their collections. Pulling from their personal archives of photos, the Creatures were not afraid to talk about their personal journey. In their groups, the students discussed the processes for their collections and received feedback from Christopher Peters and Shane Gabier. The designers then assigned homework for the next day.
Morgan Modica, a third year fashion design major from Houston, Texas, confessed that all her anxiety seemed to dissipate once she learned Gabier and Peters were down to earth and approachable.
“They supported all of our ideas because they honestly wanted to see us grow during this whole process,” she said.
Day Two:
Third year Fashion Design Majors Morgan Modica from Houston, Texas, and Abi Lierheimer from Evergreen, Colorado, receive feedback from Christopher Peters from Creatures of the Wind.
Gabier and Peters were impressed by the students’ response to the challenge and went around the room, giving advice for the final presentations the following day. Yaeger also advised the students on their projects and where to go in Paris: “You have to go to the flea market, Porte de Vanves and Porte de Clignancourt.”
Day Three:
On the final day, students presented their work before and after the Creatures’ feedback. You can read about Lynn Yaeger’s Lacoste experience at Vogue.com and look at Jamie Beck’s Provincial excursion at annstreetstudio.com.