Expanding my understanding of what it means to create a cohesive and reduced-waste fashion line

OVERGROWN: FRESHMAN STUDIES IN SUSTAINABILITY

A woman in a creative costume featuring a leather strapless top, a skirt with an angel portrait, and green tights, standing with hands on hips against a black background.

A woman in a floral dress with a denim and cotton skirt sits in a motorized wheelchair on a black stage background, smiling and looking slightly up.

A woman standing on a dark stage, facing sideways with her back slightly turned, wearing a strapless denim dress, white knee-high boots, and green earrings, with a white faux fur scarf draped around her waist.

A woman with blonde hair in a fashion show wearing a beige fringe crop top, a fur skirt, and a denim jacket draped on her shoulders, standing on a stage with a dark background.

A woman is standing on a runway, confidently posing. She is wearing a fashionable outfit consisting of wide-legged, sparkly pants, a matching jacket, and a white lace crop top. She has white ankle boots, large earrings, and is holding a small, beige crocheted bag.

A woman confidently walks on a dark runway, wearing a dress with a sheer overlay, a colorful polka dot scarf tied around her neck, and dangling earrings.

A woman standing confidently, wearing a flowing white gown with large angel-like white wings, posing with hands on hips against a black background.

A woman walking on a runway wearing a red satin dress and a black lace top, holding a white tiger plush toy purse, and wearing black high heels with ribbons

A woman on a runway with hands on her hips, wearing a white dress with a large rectangular cutout around her waist, white earrings, and high heels, with a dark background.

A young man with curly hair standing on a stage, wearing a dark jumpsuit with a belt and black boots.

A woman standing on stage with a confident pose, wearing a sleeveless top with graphic designs, a white skirt, high heels, and holding a small bag in her hand, against a black background.

A woman in a shiny green dress and black high heels is performing a dance move on a dark stage, with her arms and legs positioned dynamically.

A woman in a shiny, silver, petal-covered dress and high-heeled shoes dancing on a dark stage

A woman in a white dress with ruffled sleeves and hem, standing on a stage with one leg raised, wearing high heel shoes, against a black background.

Stylized text on a black background that reads "Overgrown apparel" by Tristan Laney, with a safety pin illustration.

STarMaker machine

A woman wearing sunglasses and a dress made of shiny, metallic, petal-like embellishments, posing on one leg against a black background.

A woman wearing a large, textured, metallic dress with voluminous sleeves and a wide silhouette, paired with high heels and sunglasses.

A woman with short hair and bold makeup, wearing large white circular earrings, a sleeveless white dress with a deep V neckline, long metallic silver gloves, against a black background.

“I want my brand to be worth putting a step forward for.”

A woman standing against a black background wearing a strapless brown and beige fur vest, a dark skirt with a painted cherub on it, green tights, and black heels.

Full Interview

A woman with dramatic makeup and red hair wearing a black ruffled dress and long silver gloves, posing outdoors against a cloudy sky.

Scrap and second hand

A large aspect of my design philosophy from the beginning has been a focus on the use of recycled and reused materials. When gathering materials for this collection I came across a large feed bag filled with material labeled ‘Scrap Denim’ inside was a selection of jeans in various sizes and levels of ware, many leaving the material unwearable. By cutting around the defective portions I was able to create many unique and 100% recycled textiles.

Fashion illustration featuring a female figure in a long blue coat, a yellow and black top with lace, and black shorts with fringe, with a detailed close-up of the top.

A woman with reddish-brown braids on a runway or stage, wearing a denim two-piece outfit, white boots, and accessorized with green earrings and gold necklaces.

Mannequin wearing a patchwork denim jacket and a multi-tone denim skirt in front of a plain light-colored wall.

A mannequin wearing a furry, faux animal hide and blue ribbon, placed on a stand in a room with an ironing board and iron.

A woman stands on a stage wearing a fashion-forward outfit that includes a beige cropped top with fringe, a brown fur skirt, a blue jacket draped off her shoulders, and white high-heeled shoes. She accessorizes with jewelry including a heart-shaped necklace and hoop earrings, with a confident pose and expression against a dark background.

Back view of a woman wearing a long patchwork denim coat on a dark stage.

A patchwork quilted fabric with alternating squares in shades of blue, gray, and denim.

Close-up of numerous small white and green folded paper butterflies attached to a net or mesh, creating a textured pattern.

This project began as an experiment with recycled materials and evolved into a study of protection and permanence. By reworking plastic bottles and tin cans, I created a new texture that references chainmail, feathers, and scales, symbols of defense and preservation. The garment itself is literally protective: its edges can cut, its reflection blinds, and its plastic form will outlast me. Often compared to armor, dragon scales, or angel wings, the piece explores how discarded materials can transform into something both beautiful and enduring.

Transformed and Recycled

A crumpled aluminum soda can with the pull tab open, isolated on a black background.

A mannequin wearing a dress made of shiny, reflective metallic pieces, with arms outstretched, standing on a metal base. Behind it is a white sign with black text about an art exhibit.

Three containers filled with assorted metal soda can pull tabs, sorted by color and size.

A woman fashion model on stage wearing a shimmering, silver, floral-patterned outfit with bell sleeves, silver heels, and standing confidently.

A woman in a futuristic, shiny, textured dress with large, flowing sleeves. She is wearing sunglasses and high heels, striking a confident pose against a black background.

Black and white image of a skull-shaped structure decorated with numerous small lamps or lights.

A vintage dress mannequin with large white fabric wings on the shoulders, set in a room with office chairs and tables.

A woman wearing a long, white gown with an angel costume, posing with hands on hips against a dark background.

February 13th, 2023 a gunman opened fire in a Michigan State University classroom. The ensuing gunfire killed three students, injuring five others. Following the shooting, I sought an outlet for the grief and loss I felt and created this gown. Hand cutting feathers for large dove wings created a meditative process that allowed me to access my hurt and begin healing.

Spartan Strong

White dress with layered feather-like fabric on the shoulders and back, displayed on a mannequin, against a dark background.

A mannequin dressed in a white gown with large, feathered angel wings.

A woman wearing a vintage silver astronaut helmet and matching opera gloves, with her arms raised against a black background.

Revealed technology

Themes of transformation have always found a throughline in my art; along with my appreciation for the theatrical, a reveal garment was a technical challenge I always wanted to execute. This dress was created using gathered tulle which flips with the help of snaps to act as a petticoat for a short hanbok inspired dress.

A woman with red hair and makeup, wearing a black ruffled dress or accessory, silver gloves, and striking eye makeup, standing outdoors against a cloudy sky.

Fashion sketches featuring two mannequins, one in a fuzzy black dress and the other in a green pleated dress, with a small purse sketch below.

A black dress with a fitted bodice and a tutu-style tulle skirt on a dress form in a room with a white brick wall.

A woman with long blonde hair sitting in a motorized wheelchair, wearing a colorful-patterned top, a layered skirt with a tulle underskirt, and black high-heeled shoes, smiling at the camera against a dark background.

Within the second-hand community it has become trendy to upcycle unique home goods textiles like curtains, blankets, and tapestries. While these are most often used to create bulky streetwear silhouettes, I sought a new form to support the often thick and detailed material.

Tapestry Corsetry

Four young women posing together at a fashion event or party indoors, with other people in the background on stairs.

Two women in matching patterned tube tops and white skirts or aprons, standing side by side in an indoor setting with a gray cinder block wall. One has brunette hair, the other has black hair, and both are looking at the camera.

Tapestry fabric tube wrapped around a dress form mannequin.

I found this form in a simple basque waist corset. Each of the three final corsets were made from the same thrifted tapestry and featured light boning and a satin lining.

A dress made from a tapestry depicting various medieval and fantasy characters, displayed on a mannequin.

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