The SCAD Fashion show is one of the biggest anticipated events put on by the Savannah campus every spring. Where many not only from the school, but also from the community and special guest gather to see the SCAD fashion students show off their amazing senior collection. I had the pleasure to interview one of SCAD’s fashion students Cassidy Peck, who’s line focuses on body positivity for the plus size woman. If Cassidy’s designs are selected, she will be the first person in SCAD history to have a plus size collection walk down the runway.
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HC: When did you know you wanted to go into fashion?
CP: I have grown up with my mother who is a seamstress, so I guess you could say it’s in my blood. Growing up I would take her fabric scraps and make clothes for my Barbies. I think it was when I was around 6 that my family was like “Wow! She really has a passion for this.”
HC: What made you decide you wanted to do a plus size line for your senior collection?
CP: Being a plus size woman for most of my life, I feel out of place in the fashion world. And I don’t think any woman should feel that way. No matter our size, women should feel comfortable and confident to wear what ever they want.
HC: What is your collection about?
CP: It has been over a year in the making. I took inspiration from the artist Yves Klein and his female body prints he did in the 1960’s. My collection is based on the idea of positive female body image. I replicated his prints with 5 different girls, including myself. I then created a design from these prints and laser cut them into fabric. The color story remains simple; white, black and Yves Klein blue, to keep the collection connected to the initial inspiration.
HC: What are some things that inspire you as far as designing?
CP: EVERYTHING! From a bruise on an arm and its coloring, to a photograph by Michal Pudelka. It’s not that I just look at things and know immediately what I’m going to design. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to things I see that make me go “YES! I love this!” I love looking at pictures that are purely to get the creative ideas flowing.
HC: How would you describe yourself as a designer?
CP: I like to create clothing based on a concrete idea, not just for the purpose of being clothing. I want my clothing to evoke a story, whether the wearer realizes the story or it can be left for interpretation. I also want to work my way into plus size fashion, because it will always be something that is important to me.
HC: Would you ever consider going on Project Runway?
CP: Haha! I love the show; I’ve grown up watching it. But I don’t think so.
HC: What is the toughest aspect of designing?
CP: Concept development. There is this chart a professor showed me on converging your ideas and then diverging, refining what has inspired you and make a clear concept. Then you have to portray this idea through clothes.
HC: What scares you the most about creating this collection?
CP: Nothing scares me about it. I honestly don’t care what people think. If they don’t like it, that’s fine. It just pushes me harder for plus size fashion. I know what I am doing is right. The fashion industry needs more designers who are not afraid to design for plus size woman.
HC: What makes you super excited about this collection?
CP: I am the first designer in the history of SCAD to do a plus size collection. There is so much in the media about body positivity. It’s the right time to do a collection like this.
HC: Do you have any designers that you would like to meet/ work with?
CP: I would love to work with several designers; Comme des Garçon, Gareth Pugh, and Ann Demulemeester. Those are just a few.
HC: Do you want you work under a certain designer/ company or do you want to work for yourself?
CP: I want to start off working for someone else. I need to make money before I can start my own label.
HC: It’s the Oscars and someone is wearing something designed by you, who is it?
CP: Rooney Mara. She wears pieces that are a little romantic and a little edgy.
HC: Do you want to stick primarily with full figured women or are you interested in all types of women?
CP: I’d like to design for all women, with a focus on plus size. I want ALL women to feel confident about wearing whatever they want.
HC: After being at SCAD for four years now, and about to graduate what has been your biggest take away?
CP: Don’t let anyone change your opinion on what your designs are. As a senior it’s hard hearing feedback from 20 people and trying to take away what’s most important, but at the end of the day it’s your collection. If you don’t like what they’re saying, don’t do it. Otherwise you’re not being true to your design esthetic and your vision.
Her Campus is so excited to see the results of Cassidy’s collection. Have your eye on a favorite senior collection? Let us know, and we may write a feature on them!