Throughout the semester we will be featuring senior fashion design students, checking in on their progress with their senior collection and picking their brains on inspiration, challenges of the design process and post-graduation plans. This week’s featured designer is Salena Holmes whose senior collection is entitled “Transformation.”

How did you become interested in fashion design?

I have always been interested in design. It’s weird, but I don’t remember not being interested in fashion. I was always into art and drawing clothes, even when I was only about seven or eight years old.

What is the inspiration behind your senior collection?

My inspiration stems from chemical weathering. I was looking at a lot of natural formations, taking the shapes created by negative space and contrasting them with the positive space to inspire a lot of my silhouettes and cutouts. Also, the idea of transformation and alchemy came into play a lot regarding the mood and textures of my fabrics.

What fabrics did you use in constructing the garments in your collection?

My collection is fall/winter, and I am using a lot of heavy fabrics in my outerwear and separates. I have a few coated wool felts, neoprene, coated linen and light knits for some pants.

 What has been your biggest challenge so far?

I think besides the actual sewing process, it was a really difficult process narrowing down all of the designs that I had been developing and sketching to the ones that I would ultimately create. This collection is something that has been in our heads for so long, it was hard to finalize a lot of the ideas knowing that the time had finally come to make what we envisioned.

What are your aspirations for after graduation?

I’m trying to have an open mind for plans post-graduation. After living in NYC for a while last year, I would like to return to the city and work for a designer that I love.

—Annie & Megan

Photos by Jenna Watson

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We’ve all had those mornings when we just couldn’t seem to get ourselves out of bed until 20 minutes before we need to leave for class, work or wherever else we needed to be. This can leave you stressing about what to do with your hair in such a short time. Learn the three hairstyles below, and you will be a pro at quick hairstyles and quick fixes.

The Fishtail braid:

This is one of my favorite braids and is very quick to do once you learn how. It uses two strands of hair instead of the traditional three and looks really cute on naturally straight or textured hair. Spray in some salt water for an extra beach-look effect.

The Sock Bun:

This is a quick hairstyle that looks polished but literally takes no time at all. Simply put your hair into a ponytail at the desired height, roll your hair into the “sock doughnut” (as I like to call them), hairspray and go. This is perfect for days where your hair isn’t exactly doing what you want, and you want to get it all up out of your face.

The Decorative Headband:

This can be added to virtually any hairstyle. Whether your hair is
down, half up or in a pony, a headband can be a good distraction from hair that may be a little oily. My favorites are decorated with bows and pearls.

Some other tips for a hair quick fix are:

- You can never go wrong with a basic pony. Change it up by using decorative hair ties or teasing your roots for a voluminous effect.

- Dry shampoos – Perfect for those days where you skip a wash or hit snooze on your alarm too many times.

- Diffuser – Naturally curly or textured hair? Give your head a quick spritz with water and your favorite texture product and use a diffuser for five minutes. It will give your hair body that it lost over night.

-Coconut or Moroccan oil – These are perfect to hide split ends and combat issues with static hair, especially during the winter.

Never let the stress of a late morning affect your hairstyle again!

-Stephanie

Blake Lively photo by APEGA | MCT
Ponytail photo by Mike Hutmacher | MCT

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. This bracelet is a great handmade gift that you can give to your close friends to let them know how much you care about them.

Here’s what you will need:

25 inches of leather cord
8 inches of crystal chain or brass ball chain
30 inches of waxed linen cord
¼ inch brass hex nut (optional)
Scissors

(Give or take a little on these lengths depending on the size of your wrist.)

Fold the leather cording in half and make a loop that is just big enough to shimmy the brass hex nut into if you choose to use it. This will serve as your clasp. If you do not use the hex nut, you can just tie a big knot at the end of your bracelet that will get the job done as well.

Wrap the linen cord around the base of the loop several times to secure it.

Place the chain on top of the leather cording and hold it tight. Wrap the linen cord tightly in between each gap of your chain. Continue wrapping for the length of the bracelet.

At the end of the chain, wrap the linen cord around the leather three more times.

Tie a not with all of the strands. Double it if you will not use the hex nut. Thread the strands through the nut, then tie another knot.

Cut any excess, then enjoy!

- Alexa

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