Zachary Fernandez turned disaster into fashion art with a Kathmandu collection
In short: A high school student turned fashion designer used the 2015 Nepal earthquake to create a collection that blends chaos and culture. His process reveals how creativity transforms disaster into wearable art, from sketching to fabric sourcing and draping.
Zachary Fernandez, a high school student from Oakland, California, made it to the finals of Project Runway Junior and then returned to Oakland School of the Arts to pursue fashion design. His 2016 collection, Kathmandu, was inspired by the 2015 Nepal earthquake, which destroyed cultural landmarks and disrupted communities. This disaster became the foundation for his creative process, where he transformed the idea of imbalance and cultural destruction into wearable art. His collection was showcased at a school fashion show in spring 2016, demonstrating how personal and global events can shape a designer's vision.
Fernandez's creative process begins with sketching, which he describes as a way to translate his mental imagery into physical form. He uses mixed media, including collages, watercolors, and acrylic paste, to reflect the complexity of his ideas. His sketches are not just visual representations but a bridge between his imagination and the final product. This phase is crucial, as it allows him to explore and refine his concepts before moving to the next stage of design.
Fabric sourcing is a collaborative and exploratory process for Fernandez. He often meets with friends to explore the city, seeking inspiration and materials that align with his vision. For his Kathmandu collection, he aimed for a pale blue with a silverish tone and a deep rust orange. The fabric store becomes a place of unexpected discovery, where he often leaves with more ideas than he started with. This phase is essential for grounding his abstract concepts in tangible materials.
Draping is a critical step in Fernandez's design process. He uses muslin to sculpt the form on a dress form, creating mock-ups that are then fitted to a model. This allows him to test the structure and flow of his designs. When he finds a piece that doesn't work, he re-patterns it and cuts it from his real fabric, a process that is both nerve-wracking and creatively liberating. The final collection is a culmination of months of planning, sketching, and refining, reflecting the intersection of art, culture, and personal experience.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: What Does it Take to Be A Fashion Designer?
- Also: www.prospects.ac.uk — 5 ways to get into fashion design | Prospects.ac.uk
- Also: www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk — Fashion Careers: How To Become A Fashion Designer | Fashion Retail Academy
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/design-what-does-it-take-to-be-a-fashion-designer.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Fashion design · More in Design · Latest · A–Z · All topics
