labricoleuse | Thesis projects: Creative Draping

In the third year, the students in our program produce a collection of projects which constitute the equivalent of a thesis. The creative draping project is one of these, in which students choose a design with some type of structural support inside it, typically something elaborate and bizarre. This year, our two graduates chose projects by contemporary couture designers Roberto Capucci and Alexander McQueen.

Roberto Capucci's 1992 "Sculpture Dress," the inspiration image for Claire Fleming's project.

Claire models her final project. Claire's gown is built on a strapless foundation,
using silk dupioni and an embossed taffeta, with an understructure incorporating
steel hoops, industrial felt, horsehair canvas, and nylon boning.

Alexander McQueen design from his Spring 2005 collection, the inspiration image for
Kaitlin Fara's project

Kaitlin Fara models her final project. Kaitlin's gown is built on a
strapless foundation using brocade, embroidered taffeta, cotton, and custom-dyed powernet,
with a steel hoop understructure and "tattooing" applique.