MODA Designer Profile: David Schalop
David Schalop is a 2nd-Year undergraduate, double majoring in Business Economics and Art History. He is a film photographer, whose work influences his fashion designs and how how he sees the world. David is also part of the Smart Student Advisory Committee.
In order to discuss David’s work for the upcoming MODA Fashion Show, we met over coffee to discuss his artistic style and inspiration.
What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?
My first inspiration is definitely the weather and the seasons. That was my jumping off point for my fashion designs. I drew inspiration from how people’s dress changes, over the course of the year. In warmer seasons, people wear lighter colors and materials. And then, in colder seasons, people wear darker colors and heavier layers. Spring and summer are somewhere in between these two extremes. And these seasonal changes in attire are more defined at UChicago than at other schools, which is something I wanted to highlight in my designs.
I’ve also been inspired by some of my favorite artists. Hiroshi Sugimoto is a photographer who I really like. He shoots black and white photography. And, like him, I shoot mainly black and white film, but I’m also really interested in color. So while my designs tend to be monochromatic, one of my designs has a pop of color. Geometric shapes and patterns are also important to me, and Josef Albers is an inspiration for that.
“Uneven Terrain.” An Original Photograph by David.
Have you ever done fashion design work before?
Never. Before participating in the MODA Fashion Show, I’d never made anything. So this is really the beginning. Before this experience, I’d only seen sewing machines as old decorations, which weren’t being used. So this is a new experience for me.
What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?
I think the most challenging thing about making clothing is that you have to visualize something in 3D, but when you’re putting fabric through the sewing machine, it’s 2D. And the space that you leave between the fabric is where the body goes. So it’s often difficult to imagine how to transition from 2D to 3D pieces. And while this process has been an interesting challenge, no mistake is unfixable. Sometimes you sew something and realize afterwards that the pieces don’t fit - but you can always take the stitches out.
“...no mistake is unfixable. Sometimes you sew something and realize afterwards that the pieces don’t fit - but you can always take the stitches out.”
I think we live in a world where people are very removed from the production of things. I’m in this art history class right now where people had to bring in objects of value to them. No one out of 25 people brought an item that they had personally created. We live in a disposable world. And so I want to create something with my own hands. And hopefully it will last for a long time. That’s an inspiration for my work.
A Sneak Peek of one of David’s Creations for this year’s MODA Fashion Show…
“We live in a disposable world. And so I want to create something with my own hands. And hopefully it will last for a long time.”
What are you looking forward to most about the show?
Seeing my friends walk. The models that I picked are three of my good friends. I’m excited because none of them have ever walked before, and so I think it’ll be really exciting to see them walk down the runway, with so many people watching. And to see my friends’ reactions to that will be really cool.
I’m also really excited to see them wear my designs. I’m designing three complete outfits. So each of my friends will be wearing a complete design. Two of the designs will probably have the same basic forms (a sweater and a pair of pants), but these designs will have different accents to make each outfit unique.
Who do you have in mind when you’re designing?
I don’t have any single person in mind. I make minimalist menswear with vintage accents and elements, because that’s my personal style right now. And I call my style menswear, even though a woman will be modeling one of my designs. I don’t really care about the shape of the body wearing my pieces - just about the style of the clothing.
In The Green Book, Dr. Shirley’s outfit (right) serves as inspiration for David.
I’m also really interested in historical fashion. One of my favorite things in the world is watching movies with great outfits, and seeing how timeless many of these pieces are in the world today. One of my favorite movies is “The Green Book.” The Musician, Don Shirley, has really great style. His outfits are incredible. I also watch “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” which is set in New York (where I’m from). And the show has great fashion looks.
In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Midge’s outfits also inspire David.
If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?
I think in general I can be a perfectionist, so I’d remind myself that this is my first time doing this, that things are going to go wrong, and that what I envisioned in the beginning is not going to be exactly what I get. As a photographer, often times you imagine the perfect shot, and you go to the dark room and print that shot and it never looks as you imagine. And sometimes it’s not what you want it to be, but other times it’s even more incredible than you could have envisioned. So when you design something, it doesn’t always turn out exactly as intended, but sometimes you end up with something even better. And even if things don’t go according to plan, I need to be okay with things changing along the way.
“As a photographer, often times you imagine the perfect shot, and you go to the dark room and print that shot and it never looks as you imagine. And sometimes it’s not what you want it to be, but other times it’s even more incredible than you could have envisioned.”
“Color Warp.” An Original Photograph by David.
What’s your favorite aspect of the design process?
There are two things. The other people in my fashion design program are really cool, and I’m really interested in getting to know them. I also just love creating designs with my own hands. I haven’t created many things in the past. And, especially at UChicago, we spend a lot of time writing papers and thinking abstractly, but it’s really nice to actively create something tangible.
“And, especially at UChicago, we spend a lot of time writing papers and thinking abstractly, but it’s really nice to actively create something tangible.”
