Hannah Amundson: Fashion showcase

What was the process of creating your collection like, from inception to completion?

Over the summer we were told to do some research. I like to design conceptually so I knew that I wanted to do a conceptual womenswear collection. I was interested in something that was relevant to people my age and for my peers. Taking that as the beginning of my inspiration … the Internet came up because it’s such a huge part of our culture. It’s different from people who are older than us that didn’t grow up with it as much.

I was looking at how that has affected us. And I was thinking about vanity. It came from that selfie culture, how we take all these pictures of ourselves, post it on the Internet and want it to be … liked by people. I thought that was such an interesting idea to play with.

Then I began to look at mirrors. A lot of my garment shapes came from studying that and reflections.

What was the experience like?

In the fall we started sketching. I was drawing all these squares attached together to make crazy shaped garments—which I actually ended up carrying through—but it was such a crazy process. I had all these beautiful illustrations, but then I got to Senior II and they were like, “So, make it.”

Now I had to figure out how to make everything. It was so difficult; there was so much trial and error. The sewing tech calls me the “queen of sample making” because I literally had a hundred samples of everything.

At every critique I had one set of what I was showing, but then I also had five other muslins I made because I was still trying to figure out how to do it.

Spring was when we started making everything in fabric. I wanted the garments to be like mirrors themselves. You look at [it] and you see your reflection. I ended up going with a foiling technique. I applied this heat-activated glue paper then applied foil on it. They’re all super shiny gold, so you can see your face in it.

What has inspired you in your designs?

I come from a lot of artists. My dad’s a graphic designer and my grandma’s a painter. I knew I wanted to do something creative. I actually think I’m more of an artist than a designer and that’s where I struggle with fashion because it’s definitely a design field and I’ve always want to make it more artsy.

I think that most of the designers I look up to are British or working in Milan. There’s not really that aesthetic in America. But being trained here and being a citizen, I’d probably have to start here. So maybe New York or LA.

How do you strike the balance between being artistic and providing a design solution?

Well for now, I don’t have to worry about selling anything so I went really artsy for it. All my foil is deconstructed and has my personal touch on everything. There are certain brands that do that kind of stuff. I just need to be selective to where I apply for jobs.

Or I like really technical stuff, too. So I could do my own art on the side while in the industry I can do all the technical design stuff.

Are you nervous about the show?

I’m actually really excited. I guess the worst thing would be if my model tripped or something, but I’m not putting stress on them. I know they’re not professionals. But at this point, the worst part is done. From now on it’s all fun.

How have you been preparing for the show then?

This past week, I’ve been making clothes for myself. I made bow ties for my boyfriend and my brother that are gold, too. I have all these matching accessories for my friends to wear at the show.

What is your everyday aesthetic?

I think I’m more into streetwear. I love to do urban—I love sneakers. I have four pairs of wedge sneakers. I got gold ones that I’ve been wearing with my collection for every critique.

How has this prepared you for the future?

I didn’t know anything when I came to [SCAD]. The stuff I was sewing in high school is hilariously pathetic compared to what I can do now…. I think learning how to drape things and make patterns was important. And now I can think of things and translate it into what I want.

What is the game plan after graduation?

I decided not to move back to Kansas. I haven’t really applied to jobs yet because I want my portfolio to be perfect first because I’m a perfectionist. So I’m going to stay here and work on it before I apply for things. Hopefully I can start working at the end of the summer.

Have you had any professional experience?

I interned in New York two summers ago with Charlotte Ronson [who] does women’s ready to wear kind of stuff. Then last summer I worked for a local designer in Kansas city. That was really cool because she does everything herself and has her own storefront and sells it all there. I helped her sew her whole collection.

When did you decide to pursue a career in fashion?

There wasn’t a pivotal moment… but in my high school we did have a fashion program and I enrolled in that because all my friends were doing it. I turned out to really like it … I was the president and ran the fashion show and realized that, “Oh, I’m good at this! I should probably do it!”

What are some of the most pressing issues facing today’s fashion designers, models and accessory designers?

The biggest challenge is dealing with the fast fashion market. I don’t really want to go into that. I don’t really know people who want to work for Forever 21. That’s kind of killing the art and how much we care about what we’re doing … That’s a much higher price point.

No one wants to design two dollar t-shirts, but that’s what everyone’s buying. Should I be a sell-out or should I keep pushing people to spend more money on things that are better made and more care goes into the design?

Do you have any advice for future designers?

What really helped me was that I took as many professors as I could so that I knew who I worked best with for my senior classes. Then when you’re working on your senior collection, don’t limit yourself in the beginning and push yourself to do the craziest and best thing you can think of. I think a lot of people psyche themselves out in the beginning.

How do you get past creative blocks?

I think getting away from it is the best. If I’m in the mood to work I’m going to stay at the building and keep pushing even if it’s four in the morning. If I’m not feeling it I’ll just leave, take a break and go outside to get inspired.

Do you want to add anything?

I’ve had a really great experience here. There’s always good days and bad days … people that get on your nerves and people you get along with really well with, but that’s how it’s gonna be anywhere. But this is school and we’re here to learn not to be catty. I’m lucky enough to have a good group of friends and we are all supportive of each other.