Get to Know: Danielle Griesenauer
By Adeshola Adigun
Name: Danielle Griesenauer
Major: Fashion Design
Year: Fourth-Year
Hometown: Naugatuck, Conn.
District: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in fashion?
Danielle Griesenauer: My first menswear class at SCAD opened my eyes to the possibilities that I did not have with womenswear. When I design for women I place too much of my personal style in the designs. I like the sense of removal I have when I design for men.
District: How do you categorize your design aesthetic?
Griesenauer: My aesthetic is modern mens tailoring with a twist of innovation, keeping everything sleek and simple. I love color and am not afraid to incorporate it into my work.
District: What was your inspiration behind your collection?
Griesenauer: My inspiration for my collection comes from desert cultures of the Middle East. The way these people wrap and draped their clothing inspired me to create my own version of it for a mens tailored wardrobe. The changing colors of the desert from day-to-night inspired the colors of my collection including the dip-dying ombre effect.
District: What was the most challenging aspect of the senior collection process?
Griesenauer: The most challenging aspect was to achieve six looks that could each stand alone and make a statement. To do this I went through the process of remaking several pairs of pants in different fabrics to achieve the overall look that I desired. And of course cramming this all into the time we had has been difficult as well.
District: What are your future plans after graduating?
Griesenauer: Right now my future plans are to stay in Savannah for the summer and continue with my job here, although I am always open to any new opportunities.
District: Do you have any advice for future seniors when starting their senior collection?
Griesenauer: Select an inspiration that you have a personal connection with and that you can really fall in love with. Also, don’t let anyone compromise your vision for your collection.
District: Who has been the most influential person when developing your collection?
Griesenauer: The most influential person has to be my Senior 1 professor Matthew Ames, who I have worked with throughout the whole year. Even though we did not always agree we would come to a solution.
District: Who would be your dream designer to work alongside?
Griesenauer: My dream designer to work with would be Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere.
District: Out of your peers, whose collection is your favorite?
Griesenauer: I admire Derek Clarkson’s menswear collection so much, in part because we know the same struggles that constructing menswear brings. I also love Blake Smith’s evening wear. I want to wear one of his looks.
District: Where do you see fashion going in the next five years?
Griesenauer: Fashion is so ever-changing it is difficult to say where it will go. But I would say that fashion is headed in a direction where functionality is combined with sophisticated design.
