This collection is rooted in a profound dialogue between legacy, sustainability, and creative reinvention. The collection was shaped in part by materials donated by the estate of the late André Leon Talley—textiles rich with history, memory, and cultural weight. Presented at the French Embassy for an HBCU sustainable design competition inspired by the Baroque era, the work honors grandeur while reimagining it through modern, resourceful craftsmanship. I deconstructed collars, cuffs, and button plackets from discarded dress shirts, breathing new life into overlooked remnants. I incorporated fabric digitally printed in 1988, its vintage artistry offering a tactile link to fashion’s past. Most notably, the collection features elements from a custom Diane von Furstenberg kaftan made specifically for Talley, allowing his presence and influence to move through the garments like a guiding hand. Through these materials, I sought to merge opulence with responsibility—showing that sustainability is not a limitation but a pathway to deeper storytelling. This collection stands as both tribute and transformation: a testament to the enduring power of fashion to honor history, reclaim waste, and craft new narratives from what has been left behind.
