STEP Kimono Project

For a fun design throwback, I wanted to showcase my kimono created during my time at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles “Summer Textile Exploration Program,” otherwise known as STEP. STEP took place during the summer before my senior year of high school, and a group of students focusing on fashion design and I were challenged to design and create kimonos. After creating the kimonos, we would model them or have a model wear them, and judges would vote on who had the most creative piece. That student would win the “golden scissors.” My kimono was inspired by that year’s Met Gala theme, “Gilded Glamour,” and I wanted my piece to resemble the 1920s and include gold aspects. Below, you can see how my piece turned out, and I am happy to say it ended up winning the award for those infamous golden scissors! This competition truly sparked my passion for design and is such a fun memory to look back on, especially now that these are the studios I use daily in classes! <3