Students create space themed outfits
If the United Federation of Planets actually existed, perhaps it would reach out to Megan Liggett’s fashion design class for uniforms. Her Storm King School students recently participated in a fashion show, creating complete outfits under the theme of outer space.
At the beginning of the year, Liggett offered her students a choice of themes including decades of fashion, flora and fauna, and into the ocean. Next year she’ll keep the remainder and add a new theme so one doesn’t get repeated.
Liggett had seven in-person students this year and one who worked remotely, but wasn’t able to submit pieces for the fashion show. Some of the students started the year not knowing how to use a needle or sewing machine, but in the span of three months they went from knowing nothing to having a full collection to show off to an audience.
Students begin the year by learning how to sew by hand using basic stitches such as the web, straight, fat, or chain stitch. Then they jump onto the sewing machine learning how to sew a straight line, corners, and curves. They also learn how to read and put together a pattern. From there they were able to start measuring models to get correct clothing sizes. With this knowledge in hand, they were able to start creating their first pieces.
The first sewing project entailed creating a mask, just to get a feel for the process before jumping into more complicated pieces. The students went out and found their own patterns or something from Goodwill which they could upcycle. Other lessons included installing a zipper and how to sew a buttonhole and button.
Each designer had three models to work with while one had four. They were required to make three complete outfits. Starting with the facemask, the students then jumped into creating shirts, pants, skirts, a Halloween costume, and a piece which incorporated some form of technology which allowed it to be used for multiple purposes. The students used circuitry, camouflage, and even neon lights.
Following the theme, students made outfits based on an astronaut’s space suit, aliens, and one made an entire collection based on the planets of the solar system. When it came time to take the stage, there were murals/backdrops painted to resemble the galaxy and the runway was lit up with LED lights to mimic the stars.
“It provides them with an endpoint, but it also gives them the full spectrum of what it means to be a fashion designer,” Liggett said of the fashion show and the process as a whole. “These kids put blood, sweat, and tears and a little bit of their sanity into making this show happen. For them to put in all of that work and then finally be recognized for it, it’s why people get so jazzed about it, why people pursue being a fashion designer. It’s kind of like the championship game in basketball.”
The students choose their own models and outfits and have to make sure the clothing fits and is functional so they can be worn out in public. They also design the stage for the fashion show.
Liggett said the fashion show is more important to the students than the final because they’re able to show off what they’ve done to their parents, friends, and the community as a whole.
