Katherine Hogan’s work proves the value of passion, craftsmanship, and attention to detail in fashion design. She is a fashion design major and a senior, finally able to show her collection on the Cornell Fashion Collective’s (CFC) runway. Her bridal collection, tentatively titled “The Evolution and Distillation of 1950s-Era Fashion: in Comparison and Contrast of the New Look,” is heavily inspired by Dior, “one of [her] favorite designers of all time.” Her six pieces encapsulate the transition from classic silhouettes in bridal wear to modern looks today. Through the collection, she also embraces her love of evening gowns and luxurious fabrics. This vision required meticulous and time-consuming work, and it involved appliqué, beadwork, and other forms of surface design. Around 1,000 beads were sewn onto a dress, and another was constructed with hand-stitched pleats and individually laser-cut flowers, which she then assembled one-by-one and stitched to the dress.

“Hold true to yourself as a designer.”

Her hard work always pays off, however, and CFC has given her an opportunity to showcase her accomplishments.

“Hold true to yourself as a designer,” she says. “Everything you put in, you eventually get out.”

She is also grateful for the people she has met in CFC who have helped her grow as a designer. She hopes to work in bridal design, and with her talent and experiences at Cornell and beyond, she is already succeeding in her field.

Article written by Alexandria Fennell