Colombia Moda

Colombia Moda is a piece dedicated to my heritage. After visiting Colombia, I wanted to recreate a traditional dress into my own style, while still keeping it true to its originality. I experimented with gathering, different types of appliques, and materials highlighting Colombia, such as coffee-bag ribbon and flowers, while using as many recycled items as well. After testing the fit, I added side panels and corset-style ribbon ties to improve comfort and adjustability. I incorporated a seam with snap buttons, an inclusive design feature inspired by guidance from Dr. Annett-Hitchcock, at North Caroline State University’s Summer Textile Exploration Program, to ensure the garment could be easily worn by anyone.