{"id":55136,"date":"2023-12-14T13:40:58","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T18:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=55136"},"modified":"2024-03-27T13:20:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T17:20:57","slug":"threads-fashion-gala-2023-showcases-student-talent-in-an-immersive-setting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2023\/12\/threads-fashion-gala-2023-showcases-student-talent-in-an-immersive-setting\/","title":{"rendered":"Threads Fashion Gala 2023 Showcases\u00a0Student Talent in an Immersive Setting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Walking through the doors of the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Dec. 2 felt like stepping into a dynamic living art installation. Over 540 attendees, dressed for the formal event, casually strolled among groups of models showcasing a diverse range of styles, spanning from luxurious 80s designs to glamorous wedding dresses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Threads Fashion Gala 2023 was a celebration of months of hard work, dedication and creative vision from the talented students in the fashion and textile management<\/a> (FTM) program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every fall, students in the fashion development and product management (FDPM) concentration<\/a> take what they have learned throughout their coursework to design and build a complete industry-quality collection through an elective course, Threads<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jada
Stop! In the Name of Disco, Jada Williams
Photo Courtesy: Amanda Law Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think the whole gamut of everything that they’ve learned is reinforced and heightened through the class,\u201d says Assistant Teaching Professor Emily Law<\/a>, the instructor for Threads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year’s event departed from the conventional runway format and instead embraced a hybrid art gallery fashion show. This unique approach allowed guests to engage with the garments up close, extending the spotlight on each student\u2019s collection and creating an immersive experience. Additionally, Threads partnered with Coach, giving students the opportunity to accessorize their looks with Coach products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a really emotional night. I’m so glad that everybody I love came out to see it, and I’m so grateful that we could have it in a format like this,\u201d says senior Melis Hafizoglu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring cultural inspiration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s 13 designers found their inspiration from a wide variety of themes, with collections ranging from wedding dresses to children\u2019s wear to 70s and 80s-inspired collections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior Melis Hafizoglu<\/a> drew inspiration from her Turkish heritage for her collection, Misket. Her designs were inspired by influential Ottoman female figures, with a focus on Turkish textile exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’m from Turkey. My mom and dad immigrated here the year before I was born. So, I have a really huge appreciation for where I’m from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After years of visiting her grandmother in Turkey and observing what she wore, Hafizoglu started to draw inspiration from different Ottoman eras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTurkey has a really rich textile history, and I wanted the fabric to tell the story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Models
Misket, Melis Hafizoglu
Photo Courtesy: Amanda Law Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Models
Misket, Melis Hafizoglu
Photo Courtesy: Amanda Law Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Misket, Melis Hafizoglu
Photo Courtesy: Amanda Law Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Misket, Melis Hafizoglu
Photo Courtesy: Amanda Law Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

To source the fabrics for her collection, Hafizoglu visited Turkey over the summer and selected materials for her collection, including different linens and vintage textiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat’s how it started to come together. The fabric was my main source of inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The collection features layered silhouettes and mixed textures inspired by traditional Ottoman styles but with a modern spin to make them wearable yet unique to the average consumer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For inspiration, Hafizoglu visited Turkish palaces, museums and historical sites, including Topkapi Palace, which has a section on female Ottoman fashions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to create Misket as a commitment to merging my two cultures creatively while learning more about Turkish history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n