Lili Pham grew up in Milpitas, California and is earning her B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University. Using vinyl, silk, and cotton, Lili’s collections is inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial 1955 novel, Lolita, paired with the wonders of the sea. An experiment with balance, six final looks were designed to represent Lolita’s playful innocence combined with Humbert’s perverse darkness. Lili collaborated with Textile Design student Kaitlin Perkins and Jewelry & Metal Arts major Ashley Lagasse.
Kaitlin Perkins was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Traverse City Central High School. She is pursuing a B.F.A. in Textile Design. Collaborating with Fashion Design student Lili Pham and Jewelry & Metal Arts student Ashley Lagasse, Kaitlin helped create the textures of the collection to invoke the duality of Nabokov’s Lolita and Humbert, showcasing the varied sides of human nature. Silhouettes were exaggerated to evoke the aesthetic of sea creatures, but seams were drafted to recall 1950’s bathing suits.
Ashley Lagasse graduated from Grace King High School in New Orleans, Louisiana and is earning her B.F.A. in Jewelry & Metal Arts from the Academy of Art University. Taking first place in “Vessels / Sculptural Objects” in last year’s Enamelist Society’s Design Competition, Ashley used copper, brass, bronze, enamel lacquer, resin and leather to create the macabre metalwork shown as part of Lili Pham‘s collection. She created pieces that were dark yet whimsical by adding clean, soft colors to her metalwork that was inspired by animal parts and textures.
Follow the jump for more with Lili, Kaitlin & Ashley!
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Lili…
If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?
Grace Kelly or Brigitte Bardot. Or both!
What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?
My black leather motorcycle jacket.
What is your [style] motto?
Black is the new black. As Yohji Yamamoto said, “Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy – but mysterious. But above all black says this: ‘I don’t bother you – don’t bother me’.”
What is your most treasured possession?
My cigar box collection.
Kaitlin…
If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?
Annie Hall.
What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?
My black leather jacket.
What is your most treasured possession?
A gold locket from my great grandmother.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Invisibility.
For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.
