Irregular Sea
Complexly woven, knit, and crocheted pieces, unique and detailed creations, handcrafted yarnwork rare to the runway, and more, all in this oceanic collaborative collection.
Being taught how to knit and crochet by local church ladies isn’t exactly how you’d expect an eight-year-old to be spending their time, but for Gigi Youngbauer, B.F.A. Textile Design, it sparked a life-long passion.
Growing up in Wisconsin, Youngbaur always had a yarn project in the works through her schooling years. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Youngbauer started spending more time knitting and crocheting than doing university assignments, and she thought “Yeah, something has to change.”
From there, she found Academy of Art University. Since then, as a textile major, she has grown proficient working with media beyond just yarnwork, from embroidery to screen printing and more.
Youngbauer’s collection is inspired by seafoam and rock formations found on beaches. Featuring seven looks, with various unique silhouettes and equally distinct handiwork, just like waves or incoming tides, each piece is different and offbeat in its own compelling way. With an
avant-garde silhouette and inspired design, B.F.A. Fashion Design collaborator Kendra Rae’s 3D printed dress exhibits Youngbauer’s expertise in not only her use of handwoven elements, but also in her technical skills in merging technology and fashion.
Exemplifying her proficiency in the breadth and depth of textile and yarnwork, Youngbauer’s fully handmade two-piece summer ensemble is a complex and detailed feat of her abilities. Of their shared looks, we see custom-printed designs on modest silhouettes, interesting and original takes on traditional garments, and a distinctly noteworthy dress, highly reminiscent of seafoam, all in neutral shades and deep oceanic blues.
Youngbauer’s hope for this collection is to push people’s boundaries for what they find acceptable in fashion. “I want people to be comfortable with things that are maybe unusual… to show something different in a way that’s appealing.”
As a textile major, Youngbauer puts a lot of value into what she calls the “I want to touch that” feeling with her work; to spark an interest about how a piece would feel in the hands or worn, “I want for people to want a closer look.”
Rather than meticulously planning out each step or following a pattern, Youngbauer prefers to create her work off an idea alone, allowing for errors and impromptu changes. Adapting to work with any mistakes made and letting a piece be spontaneous and chaotic makes for a more enjoyable creative process.
“It’s a freeing way of working, it makes me feel connected to the art of it rather than just producing something for the sake of producing something,” shared Youngbauer. “I enjoy the self-expression, I can create things that I and others enjoy.”
With the fashion show comes not only the opportunity to exhibit art to an audience, but it signals the end of an era for these designers. This collection, fittingly, embodies just that. As Gigi and Kendra see it, the ocean represents the phases of life; moving forward, the ebbs and flows of things coming and going. “I’ve spent four years working in these rooms, and it’s coming to a close, it’s a grand finale… I think I’ve surprised myself with what I’m capable of. I feel really good about what we’ve done.”
In the not-so-far future post graduation, Gigi plans on remaining in the world of textiles. “A job where I can still be creative, maybe designing textiles, making patterns, would be cool,” being a material sourcer or buyer, able to travel around the world for the sake of her art and industry, particularly drawing her interest. But for now, she spends her free time exploring San Francisco’s sights and streets, or just staying in to watch a good movie and knit.
Words by Talia Drue Gillette, A.A. Fashion Communication and Styling
Runway photography by Ed Jay.
Conceptual Makeup Lead: Chelsea Mari Heintzman. Hair & Makeup Team Produced by Brandi Moore Agency. Lead Hair: Brittany Jordan. Lead Makeup: Lilia Christo-Ferrigno . Makeup Product: Morphe.
