What to Expect at MODA Blooms 2024

As spring approaches, we have a lot to look forward to— sun, short sleeves, and of course, the Spring 2024 Fashion Show! This past weekend, we sat down with the MODA Board Presidents Chelsea Campbell and Joao Galafassi and Design Director William Hu to discuss the show and the process in a little bit more detail. So, sit back, relax, and read more about the process and what to expect at this year’s fashion show!

What will be different about the show this year? What should we expect?

W: We tried to focus on the experience of actually being in the space. One thing to keep an eye out for is the music, for sure— each song is tailored to the design it’s playing over so it matches the aesthetics. It's going to be a lot more performative, with things like interludes, build-ups, introductions, so definitely expect a lot of different kinds of music.

On top of that, we’ve also worked really hard on the audio/visuals. There’s going to be a projector displaying live, real-time audio-reactive generative works of art on TouchDesigner.

That sounds so cool! Are those all going to be student-curated and produced?

W: Yes! All of the music will be curated by Otis and I. We worked really hard on the setlist and mixing, and all of the audio/visuals are by me.

Audio-visual by William Hu

What’s the significance of the theme, MODA Bloom?

C: Oh, good question! I know at first we threw around the word “rebirth”, or the idea of blooming into a new season or chapter to keep consistent with the idea of spring.

J: Yeah. Because last year’s show was in the winter and this year we decided to move it back to the spring, we wanted the theme to reflect the shift to warmer weather and all the changes that come with it. At UChicago it’s not just a seasonal change— you can also definitely feel a collective change in mood and vibe across campus when the weather starts to shift. We definitely wanted to integrate that spirit, the idea of a renewed energy, into the theme.

C: It also relates to having a completely new Board this year as well, so a rebirth in that sense too.

J: Yeah, it’s a completely new Board, and MODA has done a lot of new things this year like the Magazine launch party— we’ve been trying to make ourselves more involved on campus in different ways. We’ve brought in speakers and collaborated with a non-profit called the Chicago Fashion Coalition. We have a lot of new exciting initiatives and I think that we felt MODA Bloom encapsulated that nicely.

via giphy

What has been the most fun or challenging part of the whole process?

J: A fun part is seeing the wedding between the creative elements of the show and the logistical headache that happens. Seeing it all come together, especially on the day of the show, will be really cool. I think this year we have let a lot of our organizers in marketing and design be more creative and less professional almost— we’ve let them spearhead a lot of the process, and I think everything, in general, has been projecting a more unique vibe.

C: I think a very specific fun thing was our collaboration with the student-run cafés on campus. I feel like that really gets people feeling like they’re involved— that they’re not just buying a ticket but that there’s also an immersive element to the show on campus.

I guess one of the main challenges has been trying to bring out the best in the space so that we can maximize the experience for everyone. We have messed with the overall configuration a lot— we want to make sure that everyone has a good view, especially the front row section. We want to make sure that everyone is getting their money’s worth and is able to have the best experience at the show. We’re pretty happy with where we landed.

W: I think a really fun thing so far in the process has been seeing the designs in photos and in person as we start leading up to the show. In the fall I was studying abroad in Paris, so I actually wasn’t able to see the designers during the interview and recruiting process in-person. But obviously, I was able to meet and work with them in the winter and spring, and it’s been really cool to see all of these designs come together because, frankly, the designers this year are extremely talented. They all come from different backgrounds— some have never sewed, some are seasoned veterans— so that’s the really fun part for me.

I could be wrong, but from what I’ve seen so far I can also see there’s a lot of movement in the pieces, so that will be interesting to see translated to the runway in relation to the theme as well.

Audio-visual by William Hu

W: Yes, for sure. I guess a little teaser or sneak peek is that some designers who are majoring in Visual Arts or Media Arts and Design are using this as an extension of their practice. Some of them are doing innovative things like crocheting pieces to go on top of other elements of their looks, some are painting over it, some have a very flowy approach to silhouette, and some have a more structured approach. There’s a little bit of everything.

J: To piggyback off of that, something that I think is really cool about MODA and the fashion show is that designers are not constrained by a season, or designing for a specific purpose. You have an almost unbridled freedom to design something that you really want to, so people end up producing a very wide range of looks. From a viewer’s standpoint, you’re able to see a lot instead of a flat, one-dimensional collection.

Are there surprises that guests can look forward to? Is there anything you can reveal?

C: Each year we have UChicago Maya and Ex Crew perform, so we are really looking forward to that performance. Every year is new, so it’s really fun to see what they come up with.

J: Yes! There are also going to be some student-made projects displayed at the show, as well as some sponsor-related materials.

Can you elaborate on some of the student-made projects?

J: Can I say it? One of them is a project by a student named Otis Gordon who created Checkpoint. We will have a Checkpoint station at the show. It’s basically… well, I don’t want to misspeak so I guess you’ll have to find out. But the concept involves taking pictures of guests and gives you a memento or souvenir from the show.

sneak peek of venue!

What are you guys most looking forward to at the show?

W: I’ve been in MODA since freshman year— I’m a third year now. So, I think out of all of the years I have been involved, this venue is the best one by far. There’s a lot of art, the acoustics are going to be great— I’m a little biased but I think the music is going to be really good. I’m looking forward to it.

C: Yes, shoutout to Will! The music is going to be great. I feel like it really brings together the connection between the designs that people came up with and the music to create a cohesive experience. There’s a lot of thought that went into it, so it’s not just random. Also, the venue itself, the art gallery, is also a flower. Are we allowed to say? Yeah, it’s a flower exhibit so it really ties together with our theme as well.

Visuals by William Hu, Music “IUDICIUM” by Passing Currents

J: I’m just excited for the show to actually start and happen— it’s not going to be the same as rehearsals, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. It’s always different with all the guests there, it totally changes the atmosphere. I also am excited because I think that everything this year has been really thoughtful and we have put a lot of consideration into all of the minute details and have worked more closely with design to create the show.

W: And to kind of follow up on that, Parth, the Junior Design Director, and I have worked really hard to work more one-on-one with the designers more hands-on. For example, in the past couple of weekends, we’ve had the designers at our place from 7:30 am to 1 pm to just help them out as much as we could, design-wise. I think this year the looks themselves will be a lot more polished— there’s going to be super sharp tailoring, a lot of very interesting visual elements, and I think overall each collection is super cohesive.

Any other comments for our readers?

J: Buy tickets!

C: Yes, buy tickets fast!

W: It’s going to be the best thing all year.

Will do! Thanks for sitting down with us!

Come see all of this come to fruition at MODA Bloom, happening on Friday, May 3rd! Doors open for all guests at 6 pm and close at 6:45 (no exceptions)!

Buy your tickets here— hurry, they’re selling out fast! We look forward to seeing you there!

2019 Designer Profiles: Kathryn Hicks

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. This edition features Kathryn Hicks, a fourth year Chemistry & Philosophy double major.

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Meet Kathryn

Kathryn is a fourth year Chemistry and Philosophy double major from New Jersey. She’s also involved with MODA Blog and has a love for pale pink, mid-century chair design and birds.

What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

In general, I'm a huge fan of mid-century design and drew a lot of inspiration from old-school sketches of mid-length full-skirted dresses and the angularity of furniture design (ask me about my affinity for chairs in design museums if you have an hour to kill). As cliche as "mid-century modern" has become, I did want to modernize the silhouettes with metallic fabrics and constructing geometrically structured elements built off of the shoulders and waists. I also definitely wanted to build upon my designs from last year and challenge myself with more intensive sewing in this collection.

Have you ever done fashion design work before? 

My first time designing for the show was last year, and I am still so happy that I kicked my butt into gear and crossed this off my college bucket list. Other than that, I've never done any official fashion design work - although, I have made some simpler garments for myself in the past and frequently mend/alter old or thrifted pieces. 

What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

My attitude towards sewing and designing in general is honestly a chaotic medley of creativity (read: you're literally transforming a flat rectangle of fabric into some crazy cool wearable art form) and frustration (read: you frequently fall into the trap of mis-measuring and ruining one of those flat rectangles of fabric you found while at home and can't get more of #TooSpecificToNotHaveHappenedToMe). It sounds like a deadly mix as I read this back now, but it's what I find so enjoyable about the process.

I've recently realized that, since coming to college, I have developed a horrible tendency to take too much on and rush through things to get them done, completely conflicting with my perfectionist habits. Sewing has truly been such a formative hobby for me, as it is one of the few activities I force myself to be patient with (again, so many yards of fabric have been left in my wake from hasty cutting).

I have come to adopt a little mantra of "always press your seams" and think that sums up things nicely. It's true on the surface level–yes, please, always press seams at each step in sewing projects–it makes everything run smoother and look nicer. But it's also true in the general life sense. Just taking the time to do things fully and creating something you're completely proud of is an amazing feeling and something I'm trying to bring back to my non-fabric-oriented life.

A semi-inaccurate group of sketches - I’ve focused mainly on the middle style!

What are you looking forward to most about the show?  

I'm so excited to see everyone's designs! I've been making the little featured image collage things for these designer profiles, and I have been so inspired by seeing all the sketches while doing so. I'm seriously so hyped to see how everything materializes! 

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process? 

My favorite aspect is just being able to do whatever your heart desires and express yourself. Although it can sometimes be complicated and frustrating to translate the image you conjure up into reality (@SlipperyMetallicFabricThatHasBeenTheDeathOfMe), it's still such a cool and proud feeling to look at the final product when you finally get things pieced together. You didn't ask, but my least favorite aspect is seam-ripping–the literal perfect punishment to wish upon your enemies.

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All images courtesy of Kathryn Hicks.

2019 Designer Profiles: Louis Levin

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. Meet Louis Levin, a second-year majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities with a focus on fashion and the incoming EIC of MODA Magazine.

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

In creating my designs, I wanted to explore the intersection of masculinity and femininity. I was interested in creating super feminine, women's evening wear and imbuing it with a masculine-inspired twist.

The pieces also look at how fashion is an armor for many of us, so I played with materials and metals to investigate that.

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

Last quarter I took a TAPS class in which I made a pillow and a button-down shirt, but before that, nothing. It’s definitely been a dive in the deep-end for me, and I’m really grateful for that. I learn best on the fly, and I’ve enjoyed seeing my progress. The most challenging part for me has been fit. My pieces are tight, and establishing that whilst still allowing my models to walk (and breathe!) has proven difficult. The most rewarding aspect is definitely that second fitting: putting the dress on my models after the hiccups of the first time and feeling (hopefully) really happy with what I’ve been able to produce is such a precious feeling.

What are you looking forward to most about the show? 

I can’t wait to see my pieces move and interact with the world. I’m used to working on them in an intimate and static setting, which in many ways feels unnatural. I want to see how they really look.

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing? 

I imagine women much like my models: boldly beautiful. In appearance, they’re tall, athletic, and they pack a presence. They’re fierce, and they use clothing as a tool and a weapon. Their dresses don’t give them power–they’re full of it already–but instead accentuate and express it.

“I can’t wait to see my pieces move and interact with the world.”

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

Breathe! When I love something, I dive head first. I would remind myself to pause and take it all in, to truly relish in it. And to have allowed some moments for reflection before snipping those sheers. Once you cut, you can’t go back; something I’ve learned the hard way!

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process? 

I have really enjoyed draping. I’m not a big fan of sketching, and for me draping is a much more effective way of getting my ideas across. Hanging my fabrics on the mannequins and having the ability to play with them directly is really suited to my creative process. I love that moment where I’ve done enough stitches and snips to put something on the form and see the semblance of a dress emerging.

All images courtesy of Louis Levin

2019 Designer Profiles: Jillian Lepek & Anne Wang

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. Meet Jillian Lepek and Anne Wang , 4th years who are designing for the show the first time!

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

We decided to work together after becoming friends abroad in Morocco! A large part of our friendship centers on our common aesthetic preferences, which came to be the core of the collection—warm, autumnal colors, woven textures, and clean, up-and-down lines. 

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

Neither of us have done real fashion design work prior to this. Mastering the discipline to train ourselves through the unfamiliar parts of clothing design was a big challenge. Just being able to persist through mistakes and turn an idea into reality was rewarding through both in its process, and through the final result.

What are you looking forward to most about the show? 

We can’t wait to see every designer’s collection get appreciated by the crowd! We know how hard everyone’s worked and it’s all culminating at the show, so the atmosphere is going to be amazing.

“A large part of our friendship centers on our common aesthetic preferences, which came to be the core of the collection—warm, autumnal colors, woven textures, and clean, up-and-down lines. ”

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing? 

We try to keep in mind the unifying characteristics of the collection, and how to marry that with the unique look of a particular model we’ve chosen. The establishment of a coherent core makes the divergences from that core more interesting!

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

All ideas morph as the process continues, so just commit and execute and see what you get—you can always revise.

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process? 

Related to the previous question—seeing how the ultimate look turns out, especially in how it differs from the vision (in a good way). Accessorizing the look—adding details which enrich the overall depiction of a vision is super fun.

All images courtesy of Jillian and Anne.

2019 Designer Profiles: Alexandre Labossiere-Barrera

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. Meet Alexandre Labossiere-Barrera, a first year designing for his first MODA Show!

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

Form follows function. Clothes should look nice, but not at the expense of practicality.

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

I’ve done my own share of architectural design work, but fashion is a first for me.

What are you looking forward to most about the show?

Finding out if I’m any good at this.

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing?

People who aren’t afraid to scuff their clothes up a little. They’re meant to be worn, so wear them.

“Form follows function. Clothes should look nice, but not at the expense of practicality.”

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

Don’t take yourself seriously, take what you do seriously.

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process?

Seeing your ideas take form in front of you is ineffably rewarding.

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All photos via Alexandre Labossiere-Barrera.

2019 Designer Profiles: Laila Abdelmonem

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. Meet Laila Abdelmonem, a 4th year Public Policy major and Spanish minor!

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

My heritage is probably the largest source of inspiration for my collection. I’m focusing on Egypt and its varied looks across time and history. I hope my collection shows the richness, diversity and regional significance of the country without implicating the stereotypes commonly associated with the Middle East.

Anecdote: I also want to add that my first year, I modeled for Nabila Latoyef and we bonded instantly over both being from Cairo. So in a way, I think she’s always informed the associations I have with participating in the show.

“I hope my collection shows the richness, diversity and regional significance of [Egypt] without implicating the stereotypes commonly associated with the Middle East.”

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

I’ve never designed before, and I think the most challenging aspect is translating mind to matter: the imagined design has to manifest in a physical way. I would say that conversion process is both frustrating and intriguing because it will inevitably surprise you. I am not sure that the design will look the way I imagined it, but I guess that’s just part of the process and I’m curious to see how it turns out.

What are you looking forward to most about the show?

As always, I think the show’s designers always produce fresh and bold takes on different fabrics, colors, and patterns. I am so excited to see what everyone else has cooked up.  

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing? 

I don’t really think I have someone in mind when I design, but maybe something that will provide a framework for my process.  

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

Ha! I genuinely don’t think I will be able to answer that until the show is over and the performance is truly complete. Maybe to start with one aspect of the design–a single color, fabric, or texture–and vary that one element as much as possible within three different looks.

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process? 

This might be cliché, but the creativity of working within parameters. I think thematically, so I’m always asking: How can I incorporate more of the same concept within the pattern or colors or shape of each design? I try to diversify the style as much as possible while maintaining a continuity in concept.

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All images via Laila Abdelmonem

2019 Designer Profiles: Hannah Ni

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. Meet Hannah Ni, a 4th year Economics and Statistics major.

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Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

I've never done fashion design work before, let alone even touched a needle! To be completely honest, I was scared of even using a sewing machine at first because it did everything so fast! Because I started to learn from literally nothing, I think the most rewarding aspect of the process has been looking back to just a few weeks ago and seeing my progress in such a short period of time.

For example, when I first started to use the sewing machine, it took me so long to get my machine set up correctly and make sure I did all the steps (thread the needle, wind the bobbin, change machine settings, etc.). Now, it would probably take me a few minutes at most.

“I’m coming away [from this experience] with a greater appreciation for fashion and clothing in general. Just like cooking a meal, there are so many steps involved in the process that most people are not aware of.”

Another rewarding aspect of the process is coming away with a greater appreciation for fashion and clothing in general. Just like cooking a meal, there are so many steps involved in the process that most people are not aware of–for design, you're spending most of your time tracing and drafting your patterns, cutting your fabric, and making modifications/alterations. That last point is actually very time consuming because getting clothing to fit on my models is not a walk in the park! I'm definitely a lot more appreciative of being able to pull on a pair of jeans that fit perfectly now.

What are you looking forward to most about the show? 

I always tell people the MODA show is one of my favorite events at UChicago because it's one of the few times where students showcase work that they're extremely proud of outside of a classroom or academic setting.

This time around, I'm looking forward to being one of those students and seeing all those hours in the costume shop come to life on the runway. I know every designer will say that, but I really mean it because I almost didn't do this. As a fourth year, I thought it would be too late to pursue something new; I've never been a part of MODA, I'd never taken an art class before this year, and I don't really follow fashion news or designers. I'm so glad I took the chance because the opportunity to do something like this doesn't come often. So in that sense, I'm looking forward most to the personal fulfillment of achieving something I did not think was possible.

Who do you have in mind when you're designing?

When I'm designing, I think first about my models, and then about myself (sounds narcissistic but I promise it's not!). Clothing is not made to live on its own–its made to be worn, and when it's worn, the person becomes a part of the look. As such, it's very hard to separate a model from the outfit. Whenever I'm envisioning my pieces, I always envision them on my models and think about my models' body type, hair, mannerisms, body language, etc. That way, when I'm making artistic decisions along the way (Do I want to add a contrasting color here? Which shade of fabric should I buy?), I know who's going to bring the piece to life.

“Clothing is not made to live on its own–its made to be worn...”

To the second point, I think about myself as well because I want my pieces to be wearable. I think a lot of people (myself included) don't feel like they would have the confidence to wear pieces that are spunkier than the average outfit, but I want to design my clothing such that it's classic enough with slight twists that make people think "hey, maybe I would wear that."

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

Well, I would definitely say I still am my younger self and have a lot to learn! But besides that, I would say to slow down and take things step-by-step. Designing is a never-ending process–there's always more you can do and fix, and as a perfectionist that's not always a good thing. Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by all the little things I could do and it helps to just think about what my plan of attack is. That way, I also don't rush into things that always come back to bite me down the line when I end up having to undo a million stitches.

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All images courtesy of Hannah Ni.

2019 Designers Profiles: Caroline Mejia

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. Meet Caroline X Mejia, a fourth-year Philosophy Major!

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

My collection's main theme is transformation. The color schemes for my designs are drawn from popular icons from my youth. This is the first year that my designs each have their own unique color palette rather than having a color palette unite the collection. I wanted to challenge myself by both creating pieces that transform on the runway and using different color schemes for each of the pieces so that they aren't as explicitly united.

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

I have been designing for the MODA fashion show since my first year. However, I've been designing and creating clothes since I was about nine after my grandmother taught me how to sew.

I've created pieces mainly for myself to wear and have recently become interested in cosplay which is like a whole new world of design. I tend not to use patterns so the hardest part for me is visualizing and making small diagrams for how I'm going to cut things out and sew them together. It's really cool to see it all come together but it's a little challenging if I want to make more than one version of something. Another challenge for me is stopping something once I've started. A day will fly by and I'll hardly notice because I'll be so focused on things.

One of the most rewarding parts [of the process] is being able to translate my designs from two dimensional media to three dimensional media and seeing the final product. By creating my deigns, I am able to take them to another level and put more detail in than I can on paper.

What are you looking forward to most about the show? 

My favorite part of the show is seeing the audiences’ reactions. It makes all the long nights of work worth it. All of the insecurities about my designs melt away. 

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing? 

Primarily myself. When I create a design, I think, "Would I wear this?" If the answer is no, that usually means I have some work to do in terms of editing the designs. When people see my pieces I not only want them to love how they look, I want them to think, "I want that in my closet." Because of this, I try to think about everyday wear when I design my pieces. Personally, I'll be more hesitant to buy something if it doesn't have pockets or is dry clean only, so I try to work in things like that. 

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

Get a sewing machine! I went so long without having my own machine. The time it takes me to create my designs more than halved after buying my own machine.  

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process?

I love the moment when I feel inspiration to create something. It's an energy that I just have to get out; first by sketching the designs then by actually creating them. 

All photos via Caroline X Mejia

2019 Designer Profiles: Talia Friedland

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we have been interviewing some of the designers involved in this year’s show. Meet Talia Friedland, a 4th year who has been designing for the MODA Show for her entire undergrad career!

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

This year I have a couple of themes that I’m playing with. Originally, I wanted my collection to poke fun at millennial trends/phenomenons which was inspired by my visit to Urban Outfitters on Oxford Street in London over this past summer. On nearly every shelf they were selling some kind of fanny pack, and I thought it would be funny to have fanny packs as a recurring motif in my collection.

From there, I decided to incorporate more things that I associate with millennial culture: avocado toast, the Kardashians, Ariana Grande, palm frond prints, etc. I also wanted the colors of my collection to be “millennial colors” like Millennial Pink, Melodramatic Purple, Neo Mint and Gen-Z Yellow.

What are you looking forward to most about the show?

Every year my parents fly from Portland, Maine to come see it, and this year they’re bringing my two little sisters and my grandmother. I love having their support and how they get to see me grow as a designer every year. My friends also get really excited to be in the audience and cheer for me, and this year my friends are my models!

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

Yes, this is my fourth time having my designs featured in the MODA Fashion Show. It’s one of my favorite parts of the school year, and I start thinking about my designs every summer!

The most challenging part of the process is patience. I’m a self taught sewer, and I still don’t understand a lot of the instructions that come in sewing patterns, but over time I’ve realized that the harder I try to take the time to really follow instructions instead of improving, the better my clothes will look in the end.

The most rewarding part is when I have an “aha!” moment (which could happen at any time, but it’s usually when I’m bored in class or while I’m running). When a look that I’ve been struggling with just somehow comes together in my mind, and I know for a fact that I have a plan because I wouldn’t settle for anything else.

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing?

I have the audience in mind. Because the show is pretty fast paced, and most people are seeing the clothes from a distance, I know that each of my looks has to be something that can be appreciated in the short time that it makes an appearance on stage. Even though I love muted colors and appreciate quality sewing in everyday life, I think when it comes to MODA it’s most important for your pieces to make a strong statement, especially from afar.

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

When I was younger I used to make a lot of clothes by hand (not sewing machine) and because I was the only person in my family who was at all interested in fashion and crafting, I had limited materials. My favorite thing used to be to go to the fabric section at Walmart and buy scrap fabric and make whatever I wanted out of it: clothes for me, my dolls, or my friends. I’m still proud of myself for discovering my own passion for design, because I don’t remember it ever being taught to me. I just sort of picked it up. But I admit that my sewing was TERRIBLE. So I guess I would also tell my younger self to keep up the creativity but also be more patient and willing to learn the technical stuff.

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process?

I love finding inspiration. I’ll see someone wearing something, or a certain outfit on Pinterest or Instagram, and my mind will just run wild with figuring out ways to make that look my own. I also love the feeling of knowing that I have time to work on my designs! UChicago is such a busy environment it’s hard to find room in my schedule to work on my collection, but there’s almost nothing better than knowing that I have a big window to work. I’ll turn on Netflix or listen to music or a podcast, and I’ll just dive in and I won’t talk to anyone or leave my apartment for hours! I think I get an adrenaline rush and I can just work non stop.

Model for the MODA Fashion Show!

Interested in modeling an original, student created and styled ensemble? Audition to model for this year's annual MODA Winter Fashion Show!

This year we are looking for approximately 70 models. No measurements will be taken. We're looking for all body types, gender identities, and personalities. Please do not wear baggy or loose-fitting clothing. Bring heels if you feel comfortable walking in them.

This model call is open to current UChicago undergraduate students only.

For more information about the model call, please refer to the official Facebook event here.

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Hutchinson Commons 

11 / 15 / 18

8:30 PM - 10 PM

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Feature images courtesy of Angela Liu.

Applications to Design for the MODA Show Are Live

Interested in designing and sewing your own collection for the annual MODA fashion show? Applications for the regular designer cycle are now open–apply here by October 29th at midnight!

Please note applications for Designer Boot Camp are now closed.

Feature image via.

Applications for Designer Boot Camp Are Live!

Have you always been interested in learning how to design and construct your own garments? Beginning in the middle of fall quarter and culminating in the annual MODA fashion show at the end of winter quarter, MODA’s Designer Boot Camp (DBC) program is designed for UChicago students who are passionate about design but who lack sewing and construction skills. These skills are taught in weekly workshops led by an associate professor of fashion design at SAIC. At the end of the program participants will have created three complete looks for the show, and learned the basics needed to continue to make great work!

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Applications for the 2018-19 DBC cycle are now open. Apply here by October 13th!

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Relevant dates for the 2018-19 application cycle:

September 28 (Friday of O-week): DBC application is released
October 12 (Friday of 2nd week) regular designer application is released
October 13 (Saturday of 2nd week) DBC app is due
October 25 (Thursday of 4th week) regular designer app is due

Contact our Design Director Kira Leadholm at keleadholm@uchicago.edu with any inquiries regarding the DBC program and application process.

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Feature image via Angela Fung.

Reflections on my First Time Designing a Fashion Collection

My original inspiration board for my Galería de MODA collection. Read my designer profile on the blog here.

To those who asked me about my experience participating in the MODA Fashion Show as a MODA Designer Boot Camp graduate, I eagerly and invariably responded that my first time designing was “amazing.” This was my enthusiastic but shallow answer, until someone asked what qualified my success.

What did qualify my success as a first time designer? Besides the exhilaration of the show and the responses of the crowd, I knew no measure of achievement. I am not a large fashion house, and I was not seriously planning on making any of my looks to sell, so sales were not a metric either. I’m also not serious about my social media following—on my Instagram, I post whatever touches my whimsy. Gaining followers or likes through the clothes I designed was not a pressing concern of mine.

As I write this article, I still don’t have a metric in mind. Throughout winter quarter, I spent around 15 hours per week for 8 weeks creating my looks, and at the end, I still felt that there was more I could have done. That’s 120 hours total, more hours in that short of a period than I have likely ever put into any other activity or class. I don't regret a single minute of it. The show itself was not only rewarding because of the people who came to celebrate and critique my hard work, but because I was able to see how my fellow designers' techniques and ideas translated in person and on the runway. At the show’s conclusion, I was already brimming over with ideas and inspirations for my collection next year.

Throughout the process and even weeks after the show has ended and I reflect on my experiences, I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to have been able to step into the world of fabric manipulation. Without the proper training, equipment, and guidance, sewing seemed so inscrutable that even I (someone who enjoys attempting dangerously innovative paths of creativity) showed no interest in learning how to do it. MODA's Designer Boot Camp and the fashion show opened a new doorway for me, and taught me that where there’s passion and intention, there’s a way. I cannot wait to continue designing both my own collections and for my future shows: I am already making plans to shop for fabrics to shape my new ideas. My success is not in tangible goods, but rather in opportunities and inspirations. I plan on seizing them!

2018 Designer Profiles: Kellie Lu

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of this year's show, we have interviewed some of the designers involved. Meet Kellie Lu, a second year Psychology and Creative Writing double-major.

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection this year?

My source is the Badlands Wall, a stretch of crumbling terrain located in Badlands National Park in South Dakota. My family visited over the summer, and I was astounded by its immense scope and beauty—but also by its fragility. The Badlands are eroding by about an inch a year, and in some hundred years, they will be gone. In contrast, granite erodes 1 inch every 10,000 years. The pictures in my moodboard show the immensity of the land—in the third picture down on the left, the small black speckles are trees. These ripples and ridges are also repeated on a smaller scale in certain areas. I have added that to my collection by including dynamic, flowing pieces.

In many ways, the land, for me, embodies the contradictions inherent in women. The contradictions of this landscape include its relative permanence to us versus its fragility compared to other stone; the bright beauty of day versus the moody smolder of night; the hot, shadeless summers versus the chilly snow-capped winters. Although in our culture we tend to associate earth with the masculine, this has translated into a very feminine quality in my clothing. My pieces are playful, serious, flirty, and sultry.

I want my looks to project the tasteful choice of the person wearing it. The combination of pieces ought to forecast a mood: a storm on the horizon, or gentle clouds to shield the sun.

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

Never. I’m designing as part of MODA’s Designer Boot Camp, an amazing opportunity that I am still astounded I’ve seized. It has been really transformative, and I have acquired a skill set that would have been inaccessible otherwise.

At first, I dreaded sewing—I only wanted to design. I tend to be perfectionist and overly dogmatic, so making pieces takes a long time, and sometimes I am too afraid of improvising. I get absent-minded and will spend an hour doing something only to realize I didn’t actually have to, haha. Trace, cut, sew—relaxing, but sometimes I lose the big picture. But yesterday, I could barely contain my excitement when I finishe my first mockup It is really amazing putting these flat, two-dimensional pieces together to form what used to be an intangible idea.

What are you looking forward to most about the MODA Fashion Show?

I grow on social energy. When I was acting in high school, I loved show night. The excitement and energy—I feed off that. That will be the night I finally see my creations come to life, when they are where they belong: on people.

All images via Kellie Lu

2018 Designer Profiles: Caroline Mejia

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of this year's show, we have interviewed some of the designers involved. Meet Caroline Mejia, a 3rd year Philosophy major.

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection this year?

My collection this year is inspired by Egyptian themes and more specifically the character Pharah from Overwatch.

Here are some preliminary sketches of the designs:

Images Via Carolina Mejia

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

Image Via Caroline Mejia

This is my third year designing for the MODA fashion show. In addition I have created cosplay of various characters. It's super rewarding getting to see the completed designs and being at conventions with people who recognize and appreciate my interpretation of a character.

One of the most challenging parts for me is creating a pattern. I tend to cut out parts freehand and sew everything together based off of the image I have in my mind.

What are you looking forward to most about the MODA Fashion Show?

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the collections at this year's show. I know all of the designers put a lot of work into their amazing creations and it's always great to see diverse and dynamic collections all coming from students at UChicago. 

All images via Caroline Mejia

2018 Designer Profiles: Mia Fierberg

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of this year's show, we have interviewed some of the designers involved. Meet Mia Fierberg, a 4th year Global Studies and French Lit major who is also the Design Director of the DBC (Design Boot Camp) program for this year! 

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What are some sources of inspiration for your collection this year?

This year I’m obsessed with silhouette. I love oversized, boxy, sculptural, or baggy womenswear because it feels defiant. If you’ve ever watched Project Runway you’ll hear Heidi Klum give critiques like ‘I liked the oversized/drop crotch/modest garment but I wish I could see some leg/chest/back with it, something a little sexy to balance.' I used to think about fashion like that too, but the more I think about it, the more I’m sure that it’s an unhealthy logic.

“I really dig oversized and boxy silhouettes because they intentionally throw those rules out the window. They reject convention and are still gorgeous, still interesting, still artistic. They just counteract stupid sexist expectations of bodies.”

If someone wants to be sexy by showing their figure or showing skin I think that’s awesome, but nobody said that sexiness is defined by that, and more importantly nobody should be expecting women and femmes to be making their body sexy or ‘balanced’ as a rule. I really dig oversized and boxy silhouettes because they intentionally throw those rules out the window. They reject convention and are still gorgeous, still interesting, still artistic. They just counteract stupid sexist expectations of bodies.

Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are the most challenging and/or rewarding aspects of it?

Mia in Paris!

This is my third year designing for the MODA show! I did DBC my second year and got hooked. Sometimes friends ask me if my sewing is still getting better after all that time and I always tell them that literally every new thing that I make is better than the last! Sewing is so challenging and demanding, but seeing myself improve after three years on literally a daily basis is the most gratifying thing in the world. I’m definitely hooked.

What are you lookin forward to most about the show?

It’s my last year designing for the show so this one is really sentimental for me. It’s basically my graduation from MODA’s design program, and comes with a lot of the pride and nostalgia that every graduation brings. I’m so excited about everyone’s work this year, so seeing my final college collection walking next to all of these other amazing talents is just going to be really really special.

What are some of the challenges (and some of the exciting parts!) of being the DBC Design Director?

I could write a novel to answer this question. Running DBC this year confronted me with a lot of bureaucratic, administrative, and logistical challenges that I never could have anticipated, but in this way it also made me so intensely appreciative of the of the programs and people that dedicate their time to shaping a platform for creativity and engagement with the arts. DBC and I aren’t the only people in the mix: the whole MODA Board, and the people who support MODA as an organization deserve recognition for the tons and tons of behind-the-scenes work that goes into giving my art a spotlight for the evening. Being behind the scenes in my role as Design Director has really made me aware and appreciate of this support system.

Of course, it goes without saying that the DBC designers themselves have made me so so proud. Their work is a testament to the wonderful opportunities that DBC as a program can provide, but even more than that, it’s proof of their amazing artistry.

I’m biased but I think that DBC is the coolest thing ever and one of the most unique opportunities at this University. I hope that in the future we’ll have the resources to expand the program and make it accessible to all of the amazing talent that applies every year!