Get to know: Baille Younkman
What’s your year, major and hometown?
Fourth-year fashion design major from Columbus, Ohio.
Have you lived elsewhere, if so, where?
The only other place I’ve lived aside from Columbus is Savannah for the last four years.
Do you have any professional experience?
Besides working years in fashion retail, no.
When did you decide to pursue a career in fashion?
Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by art and involved in creative things. Both of my older brothers pursued creative careers, so it was just natural that I too pursued something involving art or design. From a young age, I was drawing women and creating wild clothing for them. It was about fifth grade when I first learned that you can make money working in fashion. I continued to develop my artistic skills throughout middle school and high school. However, thinking of when I first came to SCAD and where I am now, about to leave SCAD, the kind of fashion that I am creating and interested in is drastically different. I’m more concerned about the voice and point of view behind my work than the retail possibilities.
What inspires you creatively? Professionally?
I am constantly inspired by affairs regarding the body and issues of control. Once an idea has been sparked, I draw a lot of my inspiration from fine art. I’m fueled daily from all forms of art and art history, it’s what really keeps me going and staying creative.
What are some of the most pressing issues facing today’s fashion designers? Models? Accessory designers?
I think the issue that continues to come up is the challenge to reinvent the wheel, make something new, something that’s never been seen. Although it may seem like everything has already been done and there is no room for progression, I think it’s a fun and creative challenge to be innovative and prove that repeated statement wrong.
I’m really interested to see if the future of fashion will redefine the model. It seems as though the thin model is here to stay, but I’d be curious to see if it will ever swing back to the full figured woman again.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I honestly have no idea. I can hardly imagine myself a couple months from now. I am hoping that I am somewhere, creating things. That’s what is most important to me. For my personal sanity, I need to be involved in something creative, using my hands and mind, expressing myself.
Do you have any advise for future SCAD fashion designers or those who are preparing to enter the industry?
The best advice to give is the best advice I’ve been given. Do what you are passionate about and stay true to yourself. You can never be disappointed if you create things that you love and for yourself. Why create to please other people, if ultimately you aren’t pleasing yourself?
How would you categorize your aesthetic?
To start, it’s completely conceptual and not wearable. Working conceptually allows me to fully express my ideas without getting caught up in who and how someone is going to buy and wear it. In addition to categorizing myself as conceptual, I would consider my work quite sculptural. I love exploring form, especially in relationship to the body. I find myself always creating work that contains and encloses the body, whether it be in my fashion designs or sculptures. Lastly, my work is highly tactile. I find joy in mixing textures and calling upon the viewer’s sense of touch.
Who would be your dream designer to work alongside?
Although I am a fashion student, I find myself more interested in working along side a fine artist. I would have loved to work with Louise Bourgeois before her passing. I continue to be fascinated by her material manipulation and use of form throughout her work. Bourgeois’ work presses on issues and subject matters that really interest and truly inspire me.
When you think about the future of fashion, what do you see?
I see a growth in one’s personal style, instead of pining over one specific look from that current point in time. I think people will have a collection of multiple pieces from varying trends and it will rely on how people choose to mix and match them. I think this will result in an exploration of new silhouettes and creating new perceptions of the body.
