Like any other creative industry in the Philippines, the local fashion scene is brimming with budding talents who incorporate their personal advocacy into their work. One such up-and-coming fashion designer is Juliane Joyce, an iACADEMY student who merged sartorial prowess with environmental consciousness in her Over2°C collection.
Thanks to its daring silhouettes and meaningful purpose, Juliane's collection now takes center stage alongside those of top Filipino designers at the esteemed PHx Station.
Learn more about her Over2°C collection below as Juliane tells Preview about the inspiration behind her newest lineup in an exclusive interview.
Preview Creative Spotlight: Juliane Joyce on her Over2°C collection for PHx Station
You're one of the fashion students that PHx Fashion Group worked with for PHx Station. Can you tell us more about how you became interested in fashion design and why you decided to pursue it?
"I have always been interested in fashion at a very young age. I played online dress-up games, and drawing and designing the characters or styling them are always my favorite parts in any game. It was evident early on that my career path would be anything related to arts and design since it has been my constant source of joy to express my creativity. I chose specifically fashion because it is the one thing that I most enjoy being creative with. I wanted to channel my creativity into something tangible and impactful, and fashion offered the perfect canvas for self-expression. The idea of bringing my designs to life, seeing them worn by others, and contributing to the ever-evolving world of fashion inspired me to take the plunge into formal education and professional development in the field."
Can you give us an overview of the concept or theme behind your collection? What was your creative vision and how is it connected to your design ethos?
"The narrative of the collection Over 2°C sheds light on a theory where the trajectory of global temperature continues to rise until it surpasses the limit of two degrees Celsius. In this visual journey, the colors are getting warmer to mirror the escalating heat, leading towards an apocalyptic scenario where every life form will melt into the ground."
Are there any particular influences that shaped your collection? How did they inspire your work?
"Art has always been such a big influence in my works. As for this collection, it took huge inspiration from an artist named Faig Ahmed and his famous Melting Carpets. From there, I was driven to disrupt the typical form of clothing, aiming to craft an innovative silhouette that challenges the ordinary. The influence of Ahmed's artistic expression guided me in pushing the boundaries of traditional garment design, leading to a collection that seeks to redefine and reimagine the possibilities within fashion."
What are the main design elements in your collection? Are there any specific fabrics, materials, motifs, silhouettes, or colors that defined your collection?
"The colors of the yarn which shows the vibrant hues of a heatmap, along with the melting silhouettes of the crochet contrasted by tailored structures, are the main elements that define the collection."
What methods or crafting techniques did you use to construct your pieces? How long did it take to complete this collection?
"The method of crocheting is mostly used to form the pieces in the collection, to achieve the melting shapes and details. Crocheting has also become one of my passions since the pandemic so I took this opportunity to show my skills. The whole collection took me for about two months, working straight to finish all the crochets and sewing."
What specific message do you wish to convey through this collection? How do you want others to feel after seeing your work?
"Over2° C creates awareness of the alarming rise of global temperatures. Scientists have identified that when the temperature rises over two degrees, this could bring catastrophic and potentially irreversible impacts to our environment and to us human beings (perhaps we'll all just melt?). In a way, it can remind us of the Paris Agreement to maintain the global temperature below two degrees before the year of 2100."
"I didn't share this yet but few of the yarns can actually glow in the dark, especially the minty green ones!"
Lastly, how does it feel to participate in PHx Station at such a young age?
"Experiencing this moment feels truly surreal as I never anticipated being chosen from my school. I feel lucky to have been granted this rare opportunity by the PHx Fashion Group to take part in PHx Station. My heartfelt gratitude extends to my alma mater, iACADEMY, as it is through their support that I found myself introduced to this remarkable platform. Moreover, I am deeply thankful for the support of my family and friends, who have stood by me throughout my whole journey, from creating this collection to seeing its presence on the racks. Their encouragement has been instrumental in making this journey possible, and I am thankful for having them with me."
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