Cavanagh Baker: Fashion Showcase

Describe your process from inception to completion.

I started over the summer finding inspiration. I stayed [in Savannah], took classes, worked at the gym and then I went to New York with my mom right before we started. I found tons and tons of fabrics, and that’s what really inspired me …

Then when we got back we started with Senior I, [where] we started sketching. We made one mock up. Then we got into Senior II where we had to make all our designs in muslins. Then finally in Senior III, all my designs basically changed from my muslins to my fabrics. I made probably about seven looks this quarter.

What was the main inspiration behind your collection?

My main inspiration is “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. When I read the poem I wanted to create the modern woman that he would be talking about. It’s a twist of a mystery-romance but it’s modern. I designed how I envisioned her in the poem.

What can people expect from your collection in the Fashion Show?

They can expect a lot of of textures. My collection is hair on hide and laminated faux fur with beading. They can expect a very dark glamour.

What is your aesthetic like everyday?

I like to wear whatever I feel comfortable in that day. I don’t have a certain aesthetic that I go by day-to-day … it’s whatever is appealing to me that [morning]. There are days when I’ll be in all black, boots, with my hair in a bun. Or there might be days where I’ll be in high heels, a long flowy skirt and my hair straight.

What inspired you to get into fashion design?

My mom. When I was young she would always take me to all these nice stores where I would always be touching all these nice clothes and fabrics. As I got older and could start shopping in the same spots, I would always come to find that I could never find exactly what I wanted. So, I wanted to design to create my perfect outfit.

Even today, I go into a store and there are little things I want to tweak about each thing. … Making exactly what I wanted to wear … which is basically my senior collection.

What has been the biggest challenge then coming to SCAD?

[It was] coming to a school where I didn’t know anyone and being away from my family. … It was such a huge step because I didn’t know a single person. Trying to get the hang of things was tough the first two quarters. But then you meet your group of friends … I’ve loved it ever since.

Were you designing way before SCAD?

I took a class in high school called “Fashion Design.” It was with one of my favorite teachers … Ms. Copeland. I still keep in touch with her today. She really helped me create stuff from my own designs rather than your basic home patterns.

That really helped me because coming here I kinda of had an idea of what went together and somewhat how to do it. Not really the technical aspect, but I knew … that we needed certain seam allowances … I knew how to do linings, but my construction wasn’t as [great] as it is now.

What is the game plan after graduation?

I’m moving to Boston. I got a job being an apprentice for Reebok. I’m going completely up north to a town that I’ve never been to … and I’m going to design running and cross figure. It’s completely different from my collection but I think it’s great to have a variety.

What advice do you have for the freshmen and sophomores right now in fashion?

Take your time and don’t get stressed out. A lot of students, especially their senior year, will basically live at Eckburg.

Get out of the building. You’re going to be stressed, you’re going to get tired, and whenever you get to that point, that’s when your work is going to suffer.

… There is nothing wrong with getting out of the building and … relaxing. Go home, sit for an hour, have a cup of tea, watch your favorite TV show, maybe get coffee with your friends. …

You’re going to be remaking things, if that’s what you’re doing. But if you go home, take a step back, and think about what you’re doing and how you’re going to be making it, you’ll be able to come back fresh and be able to sew it one time. … You’re going to be changing a lot of stuff during critique, but you want to get that initial first design perfect rather than keep taking it apart and putting it back together.

What do you think are the most pressing issues today for young fashion designers?

I think it’s hard for students to not get caught up in trends. Right now everything is about fast fashion. People would rather buy a $15 shirt from Urban instead of making an investment in a $300 shirt that will last you a lot longer and is higher quality.

It’s starting to hit all age groups. It’s not just people our age … because they need something cheap … they’re students and can’t afford it. A lot of people who are older who do have a salary … are getting into this [idea of] “let’s buy something easy, wear it four times, throw it a way and do the same thing over again.”

It’s taking the fun out of the design. Everything is just a copy of itself. It’s changing a graphic, the fabric or the pattern on the design. It’s unlike fashion that’s high end where it’s constantly changing. The silhouettes are changing, the textiles are changing and it’s making it a little bit harder for people to create their own style and show who they are based on what they wear.

It’s really messing up the way designers look at designing.

How do you feel about the upcoming show?

I’m really nervous. I still feel like it’s a dream. I’m still not comprehending that I’m actually in it. It’s going to be really fun!

I think my mom is a lot more excited than I am. She [said] “I’ve made myself a little skirt” because I’m making myself my own outfit. … I’m nervous about the fact that my family’s going to be here and see my stuff walk. I’m terrified that a model is going to trip, or go the wrong way … but I think it’ll be great to be able to see your collection and your name on the screen and to think, “This is mine.”

Is there anything else you want to add?

To the girls and guys that are going into Senior next year, listen to your professors. They’re there for a reason. They’re going to help you and your collection is going to change constantly over the course of the year, but it’s going to change for the better.

I only have one look that stayed the same [since Senior I]. That’s because I forced it to stay because I knew it was going to be successful and it actually turned out to be one of my most successful pieces. So believe in yourself and … don’t get discouraged.