DENTON (UNT), Texas -- For one aspiring fashion designer, the inspiration for her latest project came from cast-off tire treads on the side of the road.
University of North Texas fashion design senior Jennifer Johnson created an entire collection of fashions based on a “vampire biker” concept — with chains, dark blue denim, black leather, maroon silk, and pleats made to look like those inspiring tire treads.
Her collection — and original creations of several other UNT fashion design seniors — will be exhibited in an annual runway show, ArtWear 2011, at 6 p.m. May 7 (Saturday) in the Silver Eagle Suite in the University Union, one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets. Admission is $25 for the general public or $10 with UNT student ID. For tickets, call the Union information booth at 940-565-3805.
Considered clubwear or streetwear, Johnson’s collection includes jeans, dresses and a jacket, which she describes as fitting “someone who is much more edgy and isn’t afraid to be a little different.” Johnson, a 2007 graduate of Plano West Senior High School, said she chose to study at UNT because of the experience of the professors and the well-rounded educational plan. She plans to intern at Nicole Miller in New York after she graduates in May.
“The teachers here have a much better background than I have seen elsewhere,” she said. “They have been in the business, learned everything they could and really want to teach others what they learned in the industry. A lot of employers are really happy to see someone coming from UNT because they know how much we learn in the program.”
Another UNT fashion design student, Kristen Jackson, found her inspiration in Byzantine art, 1920s fashion and today’s music of French musician Bob Sinclar. Her evening wear and cocktail gowns mimic the colors of Byzantine art in loose ‘20s silhouettes with a modern, edgy feel reminiscent of Sinclar’s music.
“Since the last day in December, I’ve been working on it every day, three or four hours at least — if not on the garments, then on illustrations, photo shoots, fittings,” said Jackson, a 2005 graduate of Norman North High School in Norman, Okla.
Jackson, who interned at Nicole Miller in New York last summer, plans to return to New York to seek work in the fashion design industry after she graduates this May. But first, she’s looking forward to seeing her hard work on the runway.
“It’s an accomplishment because you are there from stage one, from seeing it on the paper to production to seeing it walk down the runway,” Jackson said. “It’s really amazing to sit back and say, I did that, it looks amazing. It’s a relief. It’s a great feeling to see the finished product.”
Students have been exhibiting their fashion designs for more than 30 years in UNT’s ArtWear fashion show. The event has marked the debut of many successful designers who have gone on to work for companies such as Calvin Klein, Liz Claiborne, Fossil, Theory, Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, Kellwood, Neiman Marcus, Dillard's, Haggar, JCPenney and Russell-Newman. Recognized alumni of the program include Michael Faircloth, Nicolas Villalba, Finley Moll, and most recently Shirin Askari of the television show “Project Runway.”
This year's ArtWear judges are: Laura Beard, assistant professor in the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design; Moona Tarighi. Menswear designer for Dillard's Store Services Inc.; Mat Nguyen, product development associate for Haggar Clothing Company; Michael Solis, creative director store development for Neiman Marcus; Teresa Stewart, sales for Nordstrom; and Rosalie Scalise, design director for CID Resources.
Seniors participating in this year’s ArtWear fashion show are: Mayra Alcantar, Xialu Chen, Michael Crigger, Brooke Higginbotham, Beverly Hill, Kristen Jackson, Jennifer Hope Johnson, Eunhye Kim, Claire Kosidowski, Watsana Kotchaphan, Kotomi Kumai, Ashley Kurtz, Katrina Lee, Ayumi Makita-Lee, Neil Marek, Manon McClure, Miesha Miller, Camille Molnar, Erica Pflughoft, Courtney Powers, Robert Richard, Carolina Salomon, Michelle Saunders, Haruka Shingai, Kirsten Shisko, Amy Silochan, Dejtia Snipes, Niki Sutton, Emmanuel Tobias, Christine Tran, Rhianna Updike, Coryn VanEgmond, Kelli Watts, Shannon Webster, Zachary White and Jordan Wiehle.
What: ArtWear 2011 — An annual runway show of works created by University of North Texas fashion design seniors
When: 6 p.m. May 7 (Saturday)
Where: Silver Eagle Suite, University Union, one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets
Cost: $25 general admission
$10 with UNT student ID
Contact: Union information booth at 940-565-3805