CCA Design Challenge Finalists!

Meet our two CCA Design Challenge Finalists – Hao Dong, whose design was picked by Livie & Luca’s Facebook Fans and Sophie Ray Lee, whose design was selected by the L & L Design Team.  If you haven’t kept up with the buzz see what it’s all about in this post: http://livieandlucablog.com/?p=1431.

Here are interviews with Hao and Sophie and a closer look at their concepts.

 

 Hao Dong

Facebook Fan Winner

 

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Tell us a little about yourself….

Where did you grow up?

I was born in the very north part of China, when I was four I moved to a city named Shen Zhen (near Hong Kong), at the very south part of China.

Why did you decided to study fashion?

I decided to study Fashion Design because I was born and raised in a background of design family. I think fashion is an very interesting area to step into, and it would be easier for me to start my own business.

What does the term sustainability mean to you?

Sustainability is a very new and energetic term to me, since it is a new direction for people and Fashion, there are many parts that we can learn and experience. It would definitely be helpful to the world if people keep on trying. I have my own goal of starting my own brand, but before I am ready I have so much to learn in Fashion.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In next five years, I would love to try to understand more about the Fashion business.

What would be your dream job?

My dream job would be a head designer of a well-known brand, then I will  start my own brand and design company.

 

Hao’s Design Concept

 Hao deconstructed several Livie & Luca singles with scissors and a craft knife and then re-purposed them into coin purses using the decorative elements of the shoes. She used a sewing machine for the body and hand sewed the decorations.

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Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 11.19.30 AM Final bag and coin purse 2 Final bag and coin purse

 

Sophie Ray Lee

L & L Design Team Winner

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Tell us a little about yourself….

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio.  I currently live in Portland, Oregon where I study at the Oregon College of Art and Craft.  I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit the California College of the Arts last semester (fall 2013) with the Mobility Program as an exchange-like student.

Why did you decided to study fashion?

Where my personal pursuits as a Fibers artist are concerned, I’ve always been interested in fashion with a little “f.”  I began as a hobbyist, celebrating my personal style by elaborating on pieces from my existing wardrobe.  I was lead to making complete works of wearable art as soon as I realized I was able to!  Now that I have a grasp on it, I make both functional and conceptual garments to prove our post-consumerist ability.  I like to abstain from big business.  My experience as a maker is influenced by the same philosophy expressed by craft advocates before me (read: William Morris – The Revival of Handicraft).

What does the term sustainability mean to you?

Sustainability is a lustful concept but an immense one, too.  In my work, I obsess over a concept recognized in the field of Sustainable Fashion as “The Craft of Use.”  My wonderful teacher and mentor from CCA, Lynda Grose, introduced this terminology to me – little did I know, I’d been practicing it for years (and you might be too)!  The Craft of Use aims to encourage a sentimental connection to our clothing and belongings.  There are many impressive feats being conquered in the sciences surrounding the textile industry.  Compostable fabric sounds super cool – but what about what we already own? Instead of finding less damaging ways to produce more (fueling our culture of disposability), I’d like to simply spend time loving what already exists.  I think this desire is evident in the “Mix-Matched Shoes” idea I proposed to Livie & Luca.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Exploring and making! I hope to travel far and wide and to continue producing work that proves I have listened along the way.

What would be your dream job?

For my final project last semester in my Sustainable Fashion class at CCA, I wrote a rough plan for a “business” called Skavenjers Collective: Makers Replacing Industry… You can read about it here –> http://sophieraylee.blogspot.com/2014/01/skavenjers-collective-250-word-statement.html .  I think it’s one of those “so-crazy-it-just-might-work!” type of dreams… And that’s why I’m so excited about it :)

Thanks again!
Sophie Ray Lee

www.sophieraylee.blogspot.com

 

Sophie’s Design Concept

Does a pair of shoes need to be a perfect match? Sophie’s idea is that a pair of shoes “needs to be the same size and of a similar style so that the comfort of the shoe is not compromised. They don’t really need to be an intentional pair at all…” Sophie constructed a survey to see how people felt about buying mismatched shoes that were of the same size and comfort for their children. Her results showed that the majority of people under 40 would be willing to do so if it meant it was promoting sustainable practices.

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Sophie’s idea = match up our orphans in size and style type and either give them away or sell them.

 

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Why we chose Sophie’s concept

Sometimes the greatest ideas are ones that don’t alter the magic of the shoes. Using the single shoe in its entirety and pairing it with another shoe that compliments it, gives the shoes a new beginning and opportunity to spread joy. It is different but the same! We also loved all of the market research Sophie provided us with. Not only did she have a great idea but she proved that it was something people would be interested in.

 

Thank you Sophie and Hao and all the other designers at CCA. It was incredible to work with you all and to be witness to your sustainable solutions!


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