Please, More Photos: Behind the scenes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY:

Vanessa Mae Lim | MIKAEL ANGELO | SUNGBIN MOON

SAM BITNES | OLIVIA PEAY | ASHLEY RAMOS | EMYR BEN YOUSSEF

HOP AROUND THE PAGE:

INTRO | WHY THE NAME, PLEASE MORE PHOTOS?

DESIGN PROCESS | STYLING | show day | MY OUTFIT

GETTING READY | SHOWTIME | AFTER THE SHOW

what’s next?

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO EXPAND AND SWIPE

Welcome to the behind-the-scenes portion of Please, More Photos.

It’s been a month and a half since the show and I’m happy to finally put these out. I feel like the name of this collection really manifested and came through because there was so much media to go through. I feel like my head was exploding the last few weeks trying to sort through everything when I had the time!

Enjoy this page full of fun photos, descriptions, and everyone who helped me make this collection possible. The video will be out by July 1st.

As I’ve finally had time to reflect, it’s crazy to think that I’ve spent so many months and long nights on this collection just to showcase it all on one day. Being able to go through all these photos allows me to relive the moments.

**WHY THE NAME PLEASE, MORE PHOTOS?**

After weeks of deciding on a concept that best represented the future of my brand after college, I began to think of what got me into fashion. Since my 2012 Tumblr days, I’ve always loved street-style photos of celebrities who are on the go. Think Rihanna casually coming out of Trader Joe’s or the Hadid sisters walking the streets of New York.

What stood out to me the most was how these people look fashion-forward yet well put together from head to toe. I wanted each look to feel effortlessly put together but still make a statement wherever they’re worn. Some design details included pops of color and upcycled denim designs.

Above is the rough draft of the final lineup with notes on styling and alterations. I tried to envision myself in each look and where I think this would be (subjectively) worn to. I am a terrible sketch artist. If I tried, I might be good, but I rather do quick sketches and get started on patterning and draping.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

This was a 6-month design process from start to finish. I started sketching and mood boarding during winter break. What helped a lot during this process was looking back at my previous designs and seeing which patterns I could reuse or alter. I keep most of the patterns I’ve created, especially if they’re done well.

Since I was also in school full time with 5 classes, I tried my best to lessen the amount of work I had to do by making sure my designs would meet the requirements of a specific assignment. The denim pants, coat, skirt, and ombre pants were all turned in to be graded.

STYLING

I was most looking forward to pushing my own personal boundaries of how I could style this collection well and to how I want my brand to be interpreted. In my past collections, I didn’t care about styling much because I’ll admit:

1) I honestly didn’t see the value in it at first and 2) It was always an afterthought.

I wanted whoever who viewed this collection to feel like they could see themselves actually wearing these clothes, so I had each model carry a prop or two. I was nervous that the props would take away from the designs, but I can confidently say that they enhanced each look.

At first, I didn’t think I was going to style everyone in sneakers, but then I realized that in my day-to-day, I only wear sneakers or boots. In a way, it was an extension of my personal style and I wanted my models to be comfortable since, for most of them, it was their first runway show.

We had a quick photoshoot at the school for the show promo. This was before I finalized props and styling.

SHOW DAY

Even though this was only a school show, It was a full-circle moment showcasing at the Walter Pyramid. In 2016, I did a small fashion show in the downstairs banquet halls with my very first collection. 6 years later, here I was, showcasing a collection in the actual pyramid.

There were so many emotions. I was excited and bit a nervous since this was the first time I was showcasing a collection in a few years. Even though I’ve done smaller shows in the past and I do feel like they prepared me, you never really know what a runway day will throw at you.

I found out the runway order the day of and was the last designer to show. It was great because my models and I weren’t in a rush to get ready, but I also felt anxious all day because of the wait.

MY OUTFIT

I always put myself last when it comes to collections.

I had no idea what I was going to wear until the day before the show. I knew I wanted to wear these Jeffrey Campbell platform boots that were a birthday present from my parents but didn’t know with what. In my sewing room closet, I ended up finding a pair of pants in the same exact shade and upcycled them into a long skirt with my logo on the pockets. I paired it with my favorite cropped button-up that was thrifted from Salvation Army. Of course, I had to wear my “Ysa” earrings to top it all off.

GETTING READY

It was a long 12-hour day but my models and I made the most out of it. Everyone was in good spirits, stomachs full with food, and ready to get out there. The day started off pretty slow and didn’t pick up until it was time to start doing makeup, hair, and a quick rehearsal.

The hair stylists were a bit backed up so my models ended up doing their own hair, which was nice because it was less complicated and saved a lot of time.

Makeup was done by Don Hsaio and his assistant. I asked for a smokey pastel eyeshadow look for each model that would coordinate with the colors of the design they were wearing.

SHOWTIME

The above photos were taken a few minutes before the show started. I remember that I was feeling so sleepy around this time, as I’d been up since 7am and it was now nearing 7pm. However, I was ready to finally get out there!

At this point, I wasn’t nervous and knew that my models were the last piece in perfecting this collection. I trusted each and every one of them to bring life to these designs and that’s exactly what they did.

I watched the show backstage on the big screen and I was in awe. The photos below are telling of what I felt in each moment.

AFTER THE SHOW

A week before, I was talking to Justin and telling him that I felt like there weren’t going to be a lot of people besides my closest friends and family. My grandparents, aunt, and cousins flew in from Guam and Texas to see the show.

This was the first time I ever cried over this collection because I was overwhelmed with the amount of support I received. From past co-workers to friends from middle school, I didn’t expect to see so many people! I love each photo below.

Thank you to all my models, Marin, Aarin, Judimae, Christine, Leeza, Malia, Raven, and Caleb for being a part of this memorable collection.

Thank you to all the photographers, videographers, and Janelle and Justin for also helping me capture every little moment behind the scenes and during the show.

Thank you to the entire hardworking team at Campus Couture for producing a beautiful show and providing an incredible platform for student designers to showcase their work.

Justin and I have been together for 4 years and this was the first big show he has seen me do. We’ve gone to fashion shows and he’s been a part of two mini-collections (Tabula Rasa and All-Star Archives), but he has truly seen Please, More Photos in every stage from beginning to end.

He also created my runway mix and spent long nights perfecting it.

The biggest question I’ve been getting is

“So what’s next?”

It’s been about a month since I’ve graduated and I’ve been enjoying every moment catching up and traveling with family, friends, and having all the free time to do what I want. I’m excited to be posting on social media again and continue content creation. Most of all, I’m finally going to be working on Hilado as a whole brand and can’t wait to start selling my designs within the next year or so. I’ll definitely be facing new challenges being an emerging designer in a competitive industry, but this is everything I’ve been working towards and I’m excited for what’s to come.