“Harnessing Thoughts explores introspection and overthinking as both a burden and a strength. Combining historical influences with contemporary challenges, the collection depicts the tension between outer calm and inner chaos, inspired by self-expression and identity.”
My concept, Harnessing Thoughts, revolves around introspection and self-reflection, the process of overthinking about oneself and the world around you. It is a personal narrative in which I incorporate my own experiences during my years at AMFI. The process of overthinking has often hindered me, but it has also shaped me into who I am today. This duality forms the core of my collection, where I aim to show how overthinking can be both a burden and a source of strength.
The collection is a blend of personal experiences and historical influences, inspired by periods such as the Renaissance and the Belle Époque, where the pursuit of individuality and self-expression took center stage. In those times, people began to challenge societal norms and expectations, daring to explore and express their own identities. This sense of liberation and self-reflection serves as the foundation for my collection, where I weave historical inspiration with the challenges of contemporary life.
In our current world, where social media and technology dominate, we are constantly confronted with unrealistic images and façades of perfection. Yet, behind these polished exteriors often lies inner chaos and insecurity that rarely sees the light of day. Many young women struggle with this, which is why they form the focus of my target audience.
My collection aims to make this duality visible by creating a contrast between outer calm and inner turmoil. The large, dramatic silhouettes symbolize the complexity and mental noise that many people experience, while tight, constrictive shapes represent the façade of control and perfection. This tension between what is visible on the outside and what remains hidden reflects the reality of modern life, where self-image and social pressure are constantly being tested.
HARNESSING THOUGHTS
Graduation collection
LOOK 1.
chaos
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
LOOK 2.
FRUSTRATION
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
LOOK 3.
Tentativeness
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
LOOK 4.
Despondent
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
FULLY KNITTED LOOK
LOOK 5.
Healing
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
LOOK 6.
control
AMFI 25'
graduation
AMFI 25'
graduation
Drawing inspiration from the opulence of the Renaissance and the Belle Époque, I sought to capture the spirit of eras defined by grand silhouettes and intricate crinoline constructions. For me, these periods evoke a world where beauty and femininity were exalted, even at the expense of comfort. This tension between outward splendor and inner restraint closely mirrors the concept of façades, which forms the foundation of my collection.
The structured silhouettes and the restrictive nature of corsetry from these times serve as metaphors for oppression, constriction, and the persistent human desire for control themes I explore throughout my work.
Rooted in my background in textiles, my design process began with the development of fabric manipulations that embodied the emotion of each individual look or phase. These tactile experiments became the starting point for my designs.
In several pieces, I first embedded the textile manipulation directly into the fabric, allowing it to guide the intuitive draping and formation of the silhouette.
This method offered me a profound sense of creative freedom, enabling my designs to emerge organically where material and emotion intertwine to form a tangible expression of my concept.
DESIGN PROCESS
From Concept to Craft
As a designer, sustainability is a key principle in my work. Throughout the design process, I consciously considered the responsible use of materials. I started by manipulating fabrics before draping them, allowing silhouettes to emerge intuitively without producing any waste.
I extended this sustainable approach to the choice of materials and colors for my collection. Because my concept is personal and layered, it was important to me that the color palette reflected that depth. Existing, industrially dyed fabrics often felt too flat and superficial to do justice to the story I wanted to tell. That’s why I chose to dye most of the fabrics myself, using natural products such as blueberries, coffee, and wheatgrass powder.
This method resulted in richer, more organic colors that better support the concept of my collection. For the few materials I did not dye myself, I carefully selected fabrics based on their natural shades to match the colors I had created.
TEXTILES
Linen, cotton & silk
LOOK 1
chaos
LOOK 2
FRUSTRATION
LOOK 3
Tentativeness
ILLUSTRATOR
Adobe
LOOK 4
Despondent
LOOK 5
Healing
LOOK 6
control
GARMENT TECHNICALS
Technical overview per look
For my collection, I created a series of technical drawings in which my designs are developed clearly and precisely. These drawings capture the essence of each look from silhouette and proportion to the detailed construction of the garments.
Through careful line work and annotations, I focused on conveying both the aesthetic and the functional and technical aspects of each design.
The technical drawings enable the translation from concept to realization. They highlight the details and construction of each garment, ensuring that the design can be accurately and clearly produced.
18 LOOKS
2D collection
My collection begins with 18 2D designs: handcrafted drawings that together form the foundation of my creative process. These designs are an important part of my collection and represent different phases within the theme I explored.
From these 18 looks, I selected 6 designs to bring to life. The chosen designs represent the key moments and transitions within the story I want to tell through my collection. The remaining designs serve as additions to these phases; they enrich and deepen the overall concept by adding extra layers and nuances.
COLLECTION
Illustrations
