Without Sanctuary
S/S 2023 Collection
Truth is on the side of the oppressed.
-Malcolm X
Design Concept
For this collection, I aimed to make a bold statement by merging the visual and political essence of the Black Panther Party with the rebellious spirit of the punk subculture. Both of these entities share similar political values, making this fusion fitting and meaningful. Every piece is entirely upcycled from secondhand clothing and fabrics. I also drew inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement to underscore how the struggles we faced years ago remain relevant today, though they have evolved. As a Black woman, these issues are deeply personal to me; they are not something I have the luxury of overlooking.
MoodBoard.
design process
As stated before, this collection was entirely upcycled from secondhand clothing and fabrics. From left to right, I will highlight standout elements from each look.
For the first look, I replaced the regular buttons on the shirt with skull-shaped ones and repurposed neckties to create the skirt, which I hand-dyed. I also distressed the suit jacket to add a worn, edgy appeal.
For the second look, I designed new patterns for the top and skirt and crafted new garments from scrap fabrics. Additionally, I upcycled a matching belt by adding bullet-shaped pins to evoke the style worn by the Black Panthers.
Moving on to the third look, I tailored a pair of old jeans to the desired size and used scrap fabrics to recreate the iconic punk crust pants aesthetic. For the jacket, I applied the same technique, embellishing it with pins, studs, and homemade patches—no punk look is complete without a leather jacket. The top was also crafted from an original pattern.
For the final look, I constructed a base waspie structure from scrap denim and hand-sewed thrifted belts onto it using thick yarn. The skirt features another original pattern, made from scrap fabric and showcasing classic plaid pleating.
