adeline rae harrison
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Apparel Design PortfolioTRANSCRIPT
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Table of Contents!
! About Adeline…………………………………… Page 3
! Résumé…………………………………………… Page 4
! The Art of Draping Inspired by Adrian…………… Page 5-6
! Paris Study Abroad: Couture Techniques…………… Page 7-10
! Senior Collection: “Being”……………………… Page 11-18
! Using Fashion to Help the Community…………… Page 19-22
! Contact Information……………………………… Page 24
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About Adeline!
Adeline Rae Harrison has been passionate about art ever since she was very young. When she was in high school she discovered her interest in fashion, which led to an internship with local Chicago designer and Project Runway alum Steven Rosengard. Through his tutelage and encouragement Adeline pursued a career in design, first studying briefly at Parsons the New School for Design in New York City, before finding her way to Dominican University in River Forest, IL. It was here that she experimented with her personal aesthetics as a designer, and learned the technical skills needed to work within the world of apparel design. As a designer, Adeline enjoys making classic styles with a quirky twist, whether it be through the use of intricately hand-dyed fabric or unique embellishments. She has experience working with industrial sergers and home brand sewing machines. Along with this, she takes pride in her hand-sewing skills, to make garments look professionally finished, inside and out. In the future, Adeline plans to work for private clients and eventually open a learning center for young adults, as an artistic after-school type program.
Objective: To gain an entry-level position as a seamstress/garment maker in the apparel design industry
Education: Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois Bachelor of Fine Arts Anticipated Graduation May 2015 Major: Apparel Design Mazzuchelli Honors Scholar, 2011-2015, GPA: 3.9/4.0 Outstanding Senior in Apparel Design Award, 2015
Internship: Rare Dirndl by Erika Neumayer, Chicago, Illinois Summer 2014 Apparel Design Intern ! Measured and altered custom designs for over 10 clients ! Attached tags, sizing, and care labels for all projects ! Added buttons, trims, hooks, elastic, and lacings to over 15 garments ! Sewed various projects, including more than 15 skirts for large-scale order for a dance troupe, over 20 blouses/blouselettes for general sale and for specific clients, more than 10 aprons, and at least 3 men’s vests ! Organized studio space and products for display ! Prepared garments for customers (e.g. pressing, loose thread removal)
Steven Rosengard Designs, Chicago, Illinois 2009-2012 Apparel Design Intern ! Aided in construction of over 10 garments
! Collaborated in development of numerous concepts and designs ! Assisted in fittings of clientele !
Activities: Paris American Academy, Study Abroad, Paris, France July 2014 ! Completed Couture Techniques coursework, with focus on construction of garment based on design by Cristóbal Balenciaga ! Completed general coursework, including millinery, nuno felting, shibori/indigo dyeing, and feather work ! Worked backstage as a dresser during Paris Fashion Week for couture designers Georges Hobeika, and Tony Ward Dominican University, Annual Fashion Show, River Forest, Illinois Participant ! Showcased one garment in 2012, two in 2013, and two in 2014 ! Worked as dresser backstage in 2014 and 2015 ! Presented three-piece collection in 2015 fashion show as well as two other garments
Dominican University, Custom Tailoring and Fit, River Forest, Illinois, Student ! Worked with Grace House Chicago, creating a custom designed and fit garment for a client ! Received recognition in front page article in the Chicago Tribune, “Design Partnership Proves a Perfect Fit” by Vikki Ortiz Healy (March 22nd, 2014)
Experience: Macy’s, State St., Chicago, Illinois 2010 Seasonal Job ! Assisted customers by providing information and directions ! Operated photographic equipment
The Art of Draping Inspired by Adrian!
Gilbert Adrian was a costume designer during the 1930s and '40s who later opened his own business. His designs were worn by Hollywood stars such as Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, and Katherine Hepburn and Adrian is often thought of to have created the definition for Hollywood glamour. Adrian's designs were elegant and exciting, but stopped short of becoming overworked and hectic. His work was the inspiration for this black, floor-length evening gown, with strong shoulders and micro-pleat detailing. This dress reflects Adrian’s proclivity for emphasizing the female form by drawing attention to the waist through the use of a dramatically patterned fabric in this area. Like the women Adrian designed for, this dress makes the wearer feel strong, determined, and ready for anything. At the same time, the front slit and pleating adds a sultry edge, reminding the wearer that they can be glamorous and powerful.
Inspiration!
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Materials!
Tri-color Brocade
Silver Dupioni
Silk
Black Jersey
“Square Your Shoulders”!
On the runway at Dominican University’s annual fashion show (“Pastiche,” 2013)
Front pleating detail with center front slit
Back pleating detail
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In the summer of 2014, I studied abroad at the Paris American Academy for a month. During my time spent here I learned several new skills, including millinery, nuno felting, shibori/indigo dyeing, and how to work with feathers. The main project I completed while studying here was based off a design by Cristóbal Balenciaga. I learned the techniques Balenciaga used and employed them in making my own interpretation of his design. Through this program I experienced how to apply couture techniques to my future work, as well as how to work in a new/unfamiliar surrounding.
Paris Study Abroad: Couture Techniques!
Inspiration!
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The Process!! Draped muslin on form ! Chose hemline and neckline ! Tried on for fit ! Bought fabrics appropriate for design ! Cut real fabric using muslin as a pattern
! Marked center front with basting stitches ! Flat-lined with thicker fabric using same process ! Used industrial machine to sew center back seam ! Attached lining ! Cut bias strips of black organza ! Attached strips to dress at neckline and armholes ! Cut bias strips of actual fabric, pre-shaped with an iron, then attached by hand to dress at neckline and armholes to finish
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“It’s About Wine” !
Striking a pose in the final design during photo shoot with Parisian photographer Vinciane Verguethen
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Senior Collection: “Being”!Inside us all are certain structures, the heart, the lungs, and the blood, which act as unifying forces among all human beings. It is these that are the basis for this collection, which brings together the beauty of the internal human form, and the deeper meanings behind this beauty. The heart, the lungs, and our blood are what keep us alive, but they are also what keep us close to those around us. Without these structures we wouldn’t experience the feelings that we associate with the human emotions of love and compassion. We wouldn’t feel our heart beat faster when we saw someone we loved, we wouldn’t become breathless when we hear them speak, and our blood wouldn’t flush our face when we expressed without words the way we felt. The true beauty that lies within these structures is the ability they have to simultaneously keep us alive but also keep us living. This state of living or being is what makes us human, and to me, this is beautiful and therefore it is worth expressing through the medium of fashion in this three-piece collection.
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Dyeing Technique!Based on the inspiration behind this collection, the decision was made to hand-dye the fabrics to be used. Starting from a white cotton sateen and a white silk organza, a bound resist technique called arashi was used to create vivid colors, that blended together in unique patterns to best represent the individual structure that each garment was based upon. In order to do this technique, the fabric was first soaked in a mixture of soda ash fixer and water. It was then tied, twisted, and bound in varying ways. After this, several different fiber reactive dyes were applied to the fabric. For the cotton, it was left in for 24 hours, then rinsed, whereas for the silk it was microwaved for a minute (in 30 second intervals) and then rinsed. While messy, this technique can be used to create
strikingly beautiful fabrics.
BEING
“The Heart of the Matter”!
This fit and flare dress is based on the intricacies of the human heart. It features hand-dyed cotton sateen and silk organza fabrics in shades of pinks, purples, and orange-reds. In order to represent the way in which our hearts keep us alive, this dress is a mixture of varying textures and volume. The top includes a voluminous area that is embellished with yarn, to represent the veins/arteries of the heart, and makes this piece really come alive.
Cotton Sateen
Silk Organza
Polyester Crepe-Back Satin
Yarn Trim
© Graham Blus
“A Breath of Fresh Air”!
Based on the lungs, this design is a short, fitted dress, with fabric swooping down from the waist, over the hips, and back up again. The cotton sateen and silk organza, dyed in shades of pink, orange, and grey, work together to create a tough yet soft feeling, that perfectly encapsulates the way our lungs work to bring us air. The mirror embellishments are done with an embroidery technique to hold it in place and represent the way in which the reflections of ourselves are many, and increase the longer we live.
Cotton Sateen
Silk Organza
Polyester Crepe-Back Satin
Yarn Trim
© Melissa Tassone
“A Rush of Blood”!
While viewing this asymmetrical, one-sleeved, cocktail dress with a full gathered skirt, one can feel the way in which it represents the blood pumping through all of our veins. The hand-dyed cotton sateen and silk organza in reds and deep purples highlight the intensity of the colors of our blood, while the varying trims on the top represent the veins and arteries. The skirt rushes out from the waist, as our blood rushes, adding to the drama of this design.
Cotton Sateen
Cotton Sateen
Silk Organza
Silk Shantung
Polyester Crepe-Back Satin
© Melissa Tassone
Using Fashion to Help the Community!
Located on Chicago’s Near West Side, Grace House is a rehabilitation and support center for women who have been released from the Illinois prison system. It opened its doors in 1994 and since then has made strides to provide women with assistance towards re-entering society. One aspect of this is in referrals for job placement. Professional business wear is an important part of getting hired, or for maintaining a job, because it allows the wearer to feel confident and give off a good impression. Dominican University fashion students teamed up with individual women in this program to create for them custom designed professional wear. This experience was mutually beneficial as it showed the way in which fashion can be used to empower, as well as how institutions like Grace House are invaluable to society.
Inspiration!
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Materials!
Tri-color suiting Grey lining
Black and silver piping Decorative buttons
Client: Sylvia Begay!
This partnership between Grace House and Dominican University was recognized by an article by Vikki Ortiz in the March 22nd, 2014 edition of the Chicago Tribune (“Design Partnership Proves a Perfect Fit”). This article expressed the nature of the project as well as how it impacted both designers and clients in a profound way. Both sides found themselves inspired by the other, showing that when it comes down to it all women are powerful, and sometimes all one needs is a unique garment made just for them to shine.
Designer and client pose together, exemplifying the bond forged by this experience.
Sylvia strikes a pose in her 1950s inspired suit dress, custom designed and tailored to fit her body and her personality.
“Superwoman Sylvia”!
“One outfit can change everything.”
~ Sylvia
Photographs courtesy of Tori Soper Photography, who conducted a professional photo shoot of the women and their designers.
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