This project was born from a fast-paced creative challenge in collaboration with North Carolina Central University’s Tennis Team and NCCU’s Apparel Department. Tasked with developing a complete tennis look in just one day, I began with only 2.5 yards of white jersey knit—a blank canvas that demanded both strategy and intuition. Transforming the fabric through hand-dyeing, I worked to achieve NCCU’s signature maroon and gray, allowing the colors to become an extension of the university’s pride, energy, and athletic spirit. From concept to construction, every decision had to be deliberate, efficient, and innovative, pushing my design instincts to operate at their sharpest. The result was a look that not only met the challenge but resonated far beyond it. The design garnered such excitement that NCCU’s celebrated cheer team, Champagne, reached out with interest of their own. Their response affirmed the power of quick problem-solving, bold creativity, and an understanding of how identity can be expressed through form and color. This project stands as a testament to my ability to work under pressure, translate institutional spirit into garment design, and create work that inspires enthusiasm across teams and audiences alike.
