robert pettys-baker

BIO A natural introvert, Robert uses design to express his true feelings and define his own path. He believes playing and having fun are integral to being a good designer. He believes playing and having fun are what makes a good designer, and that not being afraid to be ugly makes a person beautiful. His proudest accomplishment is an undergraduate research project entitled Gay Men and Clothing, which studied gay male’s perspectives on the current male clothing market, finding that they desire more unique and creatively designed clothing. Over the summer, Robbie interned in the runway design department at BCBG Max Azria in Los Angeles, California, where he assisted with the design development of the Spring 2016 collection.

“I stand at this early hour / Looking at the breaking dawn / Yet the night lingers still // Darkness at the back of my mind / I move forward / Hoping for day to come / And the night to not return” - Personal Reflection collection The Night Chasing The Dawn is a non-traditional menswear collection that uses billowy sheers, a rich color palette and a mixture of Japanese and military styles to create a vibrant and meaningful collection. The primary inspiration for this collection came from the designer’s visceral reaction to the music he listens to. Songs include: 90’s music by Kimbra, Riot by Wiweck, One More Hit by Alison Wonderland, Matter by Overwerk and Bloom by Odesza.

CONTACT petty064@umn.edu behance.net/FinnK collection MANTRA evokes the Zen qualities of quiet strength and tranquility, drawing inspiration from the components of Japanese Zen Gardens, specifically sand raking and stacking stones. These elements are explored through rich, textured fabrics and carefully considered embellishments. A color palette of stark whites, ivories, and crèmes transport the viewer to a place of purity. Asian influenced silhouettes fit comfortably on the body and allow the wearer freedom to express unique styling choices. MANTRA rejects the trend of over designing, and appeals to the fashion forward woman who understands that only through deliberate simplicity and ease of movement is she able to celebrate her originality. l

BIO Authenticity is the hallmark of Grace’s designs. She celebrates the complex modern woman by clothing her in minimalist forms, allowing her inherent beauty to shine. Grace’s creativity is largely influenced by both her culturally diverse background and the juxtaposition of growing up in a small Missouri town, while feeling drawn to the energy and eclecticism of big cities. Interning at Donna Karan International in New York City, Grace collaborated in the creative process, developed an appreciation for quality fabrics, and worked behind the scenes at the company’s Fashion Week show. As an independent contractor at Anywhere Apparel in Minneapolis, she helped launch a collection of culturally influenced, functional travel garments. While at the U of M, she has been awarded multiple design recognitions and scholarships. Her commitment to lifting up women continues as officer of the campus group “She’s the First,” which raises funds and awareness for girls’ education in third world countries.

CONTACT chen2892@umn.edu gchendesigns.allyou.net collection HANAFUBUKI (“花吹雪”), a red carpet collection for celebrities, was inspired by Xixi’s trip to Japan early this year. In Japanese, the term “Hanafubuki” means Cherry Blossom Blizzard. (“Hana” means flower, while “Fubuki” means snow storm.) This collection of silk dresses in hues of cream and blush is inspired by the Hanafubuki scene of wind blowing the falling flowers like it’s snowing cherry blossom petals. The silhouettes are modest yet adorable, highlighting the ultra-feminine and elegant style that Hanafubuki represents.

BIO Originally from China, Xixi Xu is a fashion designer with a passion for pop culture, luxury goods, and classical arts. Xixi’s work is a reflection of her international experiences, having travelled widely from a young age. She studied abroad at London College of Fashion for a semester and is attracted to classic British culture and style. This past summer in Shanghai, Xixi interned with a film production company and learned about celebrity fashion. She would like to design for celebrities, knowing their fashion and styling choices are chosen to both catch attention and form their reputation.

CONTACT xixixudesign@gmail.com collection Jinxiu (jin-sue) is an Asian Fusion bridal-wear collection, containing 4 looks inspired by Western and Eastern wedding trends. In Chinese, Jinxiu means “as beautiful as brocade”, a phrase meant to convey best wishes of a joyful marriage. The encounter between these two cultures is represented through the use of ornate embroideries and the traditional Chinese wedding colors of lush reds and golds, combined with the modern and romantic silhouettes of today’s Western wedding fashion.

BIO Shengjie Li is originally from China. She came to America to pursue her career as a fashion designer. Experiencing both of these cultures gives her a unique perspective and inspires her to incorporate elements from multiple cultures into her designs. Shengjie is drawn to interesting fabric textures and unique prints, especially organic patterns of clouds, flowers, and birds. Each of her garments is carefully cut and sewn to ensure the highest construction quality. She wants to tell a story with her eye-catching and innovative creations. After graduation, she would like to open her own Etsy shop and pursue a master’s degree in Human Factors and Ergonomics.

CONTACT lishengjie2102@hotmail.com shengjieliportfolio.weebly.com