Anna Thomas

Excerpts from an Interview with the Designer

Recorded on: March 22 2023

Tell me about your collection!

The plan for my collection, and this is something that I've kept pretty consistent throughout my entire design career, is using only second-hand fabric. One of the most important things for me as a designer is to keep sustainability in mind, so by sourcing materials that are used I feel that I’m reusing, reducing, and recycling. Also as a college student, I don't have a ton of money to spend on new fabrics. By doing this I can get a lot of cool fabric for a very low price. The materials that I find to use for fabric are so interesting and unique, and it's something that you wouldn't find in a Joann’s. Things like curtains that have beautiful detailing, tablecloths, or I've even used blankets. Sometimes I will just take pre-made garments, deconstruct them, and see what I can do with them. But for this collection, I’ve been collecting the materials for a while. I typically source from the goodwill outlet or other local thrift stores. I knew I needed to start sourcing months ago because it might take me a while to find the perfect fabrics to use. The color palate I’m working with is a wide range of jewel tones with primarily red, yellow, black, and green. When thrifting, I always kept in mind the materials I had and materials I needed. Big shout out though to my high school art teacher, who I’ve always looked up to, because some of the materials she has given me are a huge asset to my collection. Specifically some beading that I believe was meant for curtain trims will be seen in several looks.

The title of my collection is “Reincarnate” because the core of what I'm trying to portray is reflected in the ideologies of reincarnation. And although I'm not Buddhist, or a practitioner of any of the religions that teach reincarnation, I have learned a lot about Buddhism especially in my college years. That was one of the first electives I wanted to take: a Buddhism class. I wanted to expand my knowledge of the practices and beliefs. I always found the cycle of life, death, and rebirth the most interesting to learn about. That the soul is reborn into a different body. That’s what I'm trying to portray with the fabric and all of the materials I'm using. They've all had a previous life and it’s the same fabric, they’re just in a new form.

How did you become interested in fashion?

COVID hit, and I got a sewing machine for my birthday during quarantine. I'm 5’2, no clothing has ever fit me, it’s all too long. So I was like, “this is a problem I'm gonna live with for the rest of my life- I should really learn how to hem things.” So I taught myself over quarantine. And I taught myself by using thrifted fabrics, or thrifted materials. I've always really been a lover of thrifting, but learning to sew was something that really amplified it, because I saw how something could have potential, and that I could help it achieve its potential. So then, I just fell in love with sewing. I got back to school and in the spring semester I switched my major. Couldn't be happier. The things that I learned in the classes I started taking were also a big factor in my choice to design sustainably. My eyes were opened to the dark side of the fashion industry. Meaning the pollution, overconsumption, and unethical working conditions for garment workers. I don't necessarily think I'm making a big change, I’m one person. It's hard to but it helps my peace of mind to know that I'm not contributing to that.

What challenges have you been facing so far?

I would say narrowing down the ideas I have and trying to be cohesive. I’d describe my style or aesthetic as very maximalist and eclectic so trying to create a collection thats cohesive is tough.