Where Are They Now? Redress Designer Payton-Alexis Brown (2010)

Appalachia is my most recent collection, and the closest one to my heart to date. I created the collection my senior year as a sort of homage to the place I have called home for the past four years. I studied antique photographs of people who lived in the region during the 1930s-40s and was inspired by the details in their work clothes, their way of life, and the natural dye processes used to dye their fabrics. The styling inspiration was that of an anti-fashion movement that happened after the French Revolution in which aristocrats began dressing like peasants to avoid execution. Together, I believe the inspirations mixed to create one rugged, elegantly simply collection. The photographs were taken by me in the Appalachian Mountains.Can you give us the history? What's happened in the years since your Redress show? 

When I participated in Redress Raleigh, I was just finishing up my freshman year in college.  I went on to produce two more collections, Equipoise in 2011 and Appalachia in 2012.  In the fall of 2010, I was lucky enough to be chosen as a designer for FashionSPARK in which I showcased the bridal portion of my Equipoise collection.  I showcased the full Equipoise collection at my university’s fashion show and won Best Construction and Best Overall Designer.  The summer of 2011 I spent three months in NYC completing an internship with the design team at Nicole Miller.  I returned that September to assist in the production of their Fashion Week show and was honored to return again this past September to assist the team once again.  During my senior year I created Appalachia, which debuted at my university’s fashion show in the spring of 2012 and won Best Garment in the senior division and Best Collection in the senior division.  In most recent news, I graduated in May 2012 from Appalachian State University with a BS in fashion design and merchandising and minors in marketing and studio art.  

Are you working on anything right now?            

Currently I am dealing with the great post-grad life struggle of “what now!?”  To make the transition easier from the mountains of the High Country to what will most likely be New York City, I have returned to Raleigh NC to start putting my plans in order.  Graduating has brought on the finishing tasks of completing my portfolio and defining myself as a designer.  Being an artist, I am inspired by countless things and enjoy creating really diverse collections.  Therefore being able to edit myself down to one set of aesthetics that truly define my work and allow me to market myself to companies has been a challenging task.  However, I just finished up my new website design which I hope reflects this new sense of self.  www.payton-alexis.com  

How did your experience with Redress prepare you for something that happened later in your career? How does your ongoing work with Redress influence the business decisions you make now?            

When I participated in Redress the eco movement was really just coming into pop culture and now green efforts span the country as not just a fad but a moral/ethical commitment to each other.  While I no longer focus on altering vintage garments, found textiles still remain my favorite fabrics to work with.  When I am not using recycled textiles I try to be eco friendly in my cutting and patterning methods seeking to leave the least amount of fabric waste as possible.  

We love your site - gorgeous pics! Give us some details promoting a current project.

Appalachia is my most recent collection, and the closest one to my heart to date.  I created the collection my senior year as a sort of homage to the place I have called home for the past four years.  I studied antique photographs of people who lived in the region during the 1930s-40s and was inspired by the details in their work clothes, their way of life, and the natural dye processes used to dye their fabrics.  The styling inspiration was that of an anti-fashion movement that happened after the French Revolution in which aristocrats began dressing like peasants to avoid execution.  Together, I believe the inspirations mixed to create one rugged, elegantly simply collection.  The photographs were taken by me in the Appalachian Mountains.   During my senior year, I began focusing on my studio art minor to define myself as a fibers artist separate from my fashion design.  Currently I am working on photographing a body of work, titled Sensual Atrophy, that I created during that year in response to the ending of a long-term relationship.  In this work I explore the feelings of the individual, notably from a female perspective, dealing with the ideas of love and loss.  Although this is the most intimately personal work I have ever created, once I began showing the pieces at my university the response was overwhelmingly one of unexpected understanding.  I look forward to releasing this body of work to the general public on my website by January 2013.  

Any advice for Redress supporters considering a similar career path?

Every artist’s path is different.  The best advice I could give someone would be to listen to his or her instincts.  In fashion it is easy to get lost in current trends and trying to design for them, however fashion only moves forward when individuals think past the present.  You will be the happiest when you are designing what you love, and you will produce the best work when it is something that moves you.  

Is there anything else you'd like us to watch for? How can Redress supporters help?

By spring 2013 I hope to have made the leap into adult life and be living and working as a designer in a big city.  Keep watching my website and blog for more information on where I am traveling and the release of my fibers work!

Payton-Alexis, great interview! That is one intellectually mature design philosophy - you're rocking the adult world already! Thanks for taking time to let us in on it.

Buy from her http://www.payton-alexis.moonfruit.com/

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? REDRESS DESIGNER LINDSAY KAY (2010)

Can you contextualize your show - when and where was it, and what was it like? Do you remember your design philosophy or design goals? 

The Redress show I participated in was at Flander's Art Gallery in April of 2010. I remember I wanted to base my collection on a flashback to the 60's and 70's. I made a couple of babydoll inspired dresses and used vintage polyester shirts and cotton dresses and sheets with floral prints pieced together. I wanted the collection to feel sweet, soft, and innocent. 

Lindsay Kay "I wanted the collection to feel sweet, soft, and innocent." Can you take us through the history? What's happened in the years since your show?

I finished up my Meredith College Fashion Design degree with my senior fashion show in May of 2010. I went on to participate in SPARKcon's fashion show that September.  I have since been taking a break from the runway - for two years, I worked at Broughton High School teaching Apparel Development, showing students how to design and make clothes.

I am currently planning my wedding - which is in less than 3 weeks! I will be working part time at Anthropologie at the Northlake store in Charlotte (starting today, funny enough). I plan to start up my Etsy shop in October, as soon as I return from my honeymoon in Costa Rica.

How did your experience with Redress prepare you for the future?

I think the Redress experience was very helpful in that preparing for Redress prepared me to complete my own show at Meredith. The natural flow - from the interview and the beginnings of my collection - to selecting models - to hair, make-up and photography - all the way to the day of and the very end was the same for me as I prepared my own senior project show.

Redress made me think about recycling a lot more than I used to - as far as fashion goes. I think more about ways to upcycle, often - not only in the things I make, but also in home furnishings as well.

I try to come up with ways to have as little waste as possible when making new creations. I also enjoy shabby chic furnishings and antiques. I think by purchasing items like this for myself - instead of brand new items - is one small way to waste less in the world.

A wedding in three weeks? Congratulations! Give us the all the juicy dress details!

Everyone told me how much fun wedding dress shopping was going to be - but to be honest, I found it stressful. I was very picky, and I think I had envisioned too many specifics before I set out.

I didn't want sparkles or lace--I didn't want a huge ball gown or a trumpet look--I didn't want flowers.  I knew what I didn't want - I just didn't know what I wanted! I came up empty-handed at several stores - and I ended up finding one I really liked by Paloma Blanca at Traditions by Anna in North Hills.

The dress fits my personality. It's simple and elegant - romantic and sweet - flattering. I actually like it more now than the day I tried it on. It has a sweetheart neckline with lots of diagonal pleats, and it is very fitted throughout the bodice. The dress flares - more than I thought I would have liked, originally - at the bottom.

It does have a small silk flower with feather whispys at the waistline, off to the right. The bodice has buttons down the back, and several box pleats on the skirt, in back, where the bodice and skirt come together. It has a very small train.

The best part is that it has pockets!!!

You have pockets! That is, like, beyond great. It's also the opportunity of a lifetime - so you have to tell: When you walk down the aisle, what's going to be in them? Wedding band? Seashells? Five bucks? We want the scoop!

Haha nothing too exciting....I'll probably just have some lip gloss!

Lindsay - thank you, so much, for spending time with us! Warmest wishes to you, your fiancée - and, of course, your dress!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Redress Designer HANNAH GOFF (2009)

The first Redress Raleigh fashion show happened in 2009.  According to John Morris at Goodnight Raleigh, it was part of Hillsborough Renaissance, a fine arts festival celebrating that neighborhood's "change to a more pedestrian and vehicle friendly thoroughfare. "  The Redress show, Morris wrote, introduced 19 new designers - and Hanna Goff was one. That year, her collection rocked the runway, and Technician Online writer Sarah Ewald praised Goff's gorgeous, "structured and architectural pieces."

This week, Redress caught up with Hannah Goff, who took time out to share her latest.

"You dont have to settle for the fabrics that are sold in stores and mills. Fashion is not just about constructing a garment, it is about the design. And design includes textiles, prints, surface treatments, embellishments....all combined into one silhouette."

Redress:  Can you give us the rundown? What's happened in the years since the Hillsborough show?  

Hannah:  Well, I graduated from NC State - that was in 2010 - and from Savannah College of Art and Design with an MA in Fashion. That took two years.  In March, I did Charleston Fashion Week, and won the [Emerging Designer 2012] award. That was a great experience.  

I was a finalist in the Belk Southern Designer Showcase. They chose 15 different designers, and they'll be featuring four pieces from each of our collections in stores and online this spring - Spring 2013. 

I did the SCAD show, and I've been freelancing print designs.

Redress: Are you working on anything right now?

Hannah: I've been getting ready for Charleston next year - I'm working on a 20-piece collection.  My whole inspiration is environmental. I find inspiration all over the place - pollution, deforestation - the forces of nature.

Redress: Tell us about the print designs. What is That process like?

Hannah: It's kind of like a collage process - like making a physical college,  or painting - but it's on the computer.  I'll cut graphic shapes out of something I've painted or scanned, and compile the images. Sometimes I'll add actual objects - for a project expressing domesticity, I used squirt bottles, vacuum cleaners and heels - high heeled shoes.

Redress: How did the Redress experience prepare you for later endeavors?

Hannah: The redress experience allowed me to experiment with various materials and techniques of manipulating fabric such as dying and appliqué. I was able to see an old shirt for its possibilities as a textile rather than its limitations as a garment.  This got me thinking that you don't have to settle for the fabrics that are sold in stores and mills.  Fashion is not just about constructing a garment, it is about the design. Design includes textiles, prints, surface treatments, embellishments....all combined into one silhouette.  Redress allowed me to step outside of the box early on in my education and through every one of those experiences I have grown into the designer I am today.

Redress: Any advice for Redress supporters considering a similar career path?

Hannah: I would just say to continue to explore your creativity. Try out different things. Cutting up old, making new - that's a great concept.

Don't give up - if you really love fashion, you'll find a way!

Redress:  Is there anything else you'd like us to watch for? We'll definitely check back with you when the Belk pieces hit!

Hannah: I have a website: hannahgoff.com  where people can view my designs.  My prints are not for sale; However, if someone wishes to buy a piece of clothing made from one of them, they can contact me. Just look for the Southern Designer's Showcase in Spring 2013! Charleston Fashion Week - you can volunteer! It's a great way to see how a fashion show works.

Redress: Hannah, congratulations on your success - we're fans forever!

For more information, visit:

Hannah Goff

Charleston Fashion Week

Belk Southern Designers Showcase

Call for Designers!

Redress the Dead Fashion Show 

a featured event of Raleigh Living Dead
in collaboration with Cirque De Vol Studios & Pickle Mamas

Saturday, October 27th, 2012
City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh 
4:00pm - 11:00pm, Fashion show starts at 8:00pm  

This coming October the city of Raleigh will experience its first annual Raleigh Living Dead, an inaugural Halloween Festival hosted by Gumption. The festival will feature live music, a Zombie Dance Camp, Little Walkers activities, a Zombie Obstacle Course, a Redress the Dead Fashion Show, and great Food & Drink vendors. 

Redress Raleigh is looking to feature up to 10 original outfits from local eco-fashion designers during Redress the Dead Fashion Show. Designers may show between 1 - 2 outfits on the runway. There are no specifications for what you should submit -- designs can range from everyday, ready-to-wear garments to Halloween costumes, let your imagination go! Interested designers, please email a picture of the outfit(s) you wish to showcase on the runway along with your contact information to info@redressraleigh.com, by Monday October 1, 2012 at 5pm. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

Looking forward to a fashionable & spooky time!

Book Review: Are We Truly Over-Dressed?

The opening sentences of Over-Dressed, by Elizabeth Cline, are shocking. Take for instance this tidbit, "Americans are hooked on buying 20.5 billion garments a year or 68 garments and 8 pairs of shoes per person, and the fashion industry’s enormous environmental footprint is growing by the year." Are you shocked yet? The book itself is a little heavy on statistics, all of them jaw dropping in the enormity of the environmental and economic impact, but overall a fantastic read.

Redress Raleigh was founded on the mission to reduce our environmental impact in fashionable goods, but do we really have to stop shopping? As it turns out, we don't really have to stop shopping, but we do have to re-learn such things as how to sew on a button, find a decent tailor, buy better shoes, and support eco-fashion. It's not stopping shopping, it's shopping smarter. Updating or re-working an item of clothing can involve lots of shopping - finding the perfect buttons, thread, or fabric, for instance, or working with a tailor to get the look you would prefer. 

Ecofashion designers know and have known for a long time that it matters where our fabrics come from, that our clothes should be constructed to last for longer than 3-4 washes, and garments made of good quality fabric can be deconstructed and re-made into something more fashion forward when the time comes. As Over-Dressed points out, the issue is that we as consumers have bought into the concept that new clothes are required and clothes made from a pattern by your grandmother, designed and made by your mother or some other relative are not cool or fashion forward.

According to Cline, we have also come to expect new fashion on a regular basis. It used to be that there were seasons fashion designers worked around. That's still true, to a certain extent, with high fashion couture. NY Fashion Week also celebrates the unveiling of never before seen collections from fashion houses who for the most part do observe and plan around a four-season fashion cycle. However, the new era of what Cline labels fast-fashion has conditioned US consumers to believe, and shop for, new clothes on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Retailers such as H&M, Forever 21, and Uniqlo are some of the stores that bring in new styles on a weekly basis.

So Redress Raleigh would like to know - what's in your closet? How many pants, skirts, sweaters, blouses, etc do you have in your closet? Do you buy new, or do you re-make and re-vamp your clothes? While we're on the topic of what you have in your closet, take a look at the quality of the fabric your clothing is made out of. Is it thinner now than the clothes you have from five years ago? Over-Dressed is an eye-opening look at the fashion industry as a whole, and US consumerism, manufacturing, the garment industry, what's changing, and how we can help. While you're counting your clothes, call the library and have them set aside Cline's book for you. It's truly an experience to read.