Spring Summer 2022

In Bloom

An adaptive evening wear collection by Dana Saulo

Thesis Statement

As the world of fashion advances in technology and innovation, there still are minorities that are frequently overlooked. For example, in the market of adaptive wear, there’s a lack of visually appealing garments. Most of the pieces available are limited to only one color palette and use of closures. The In Bloom collection brings the wearer into a romantic and ethereal world of sensuality and self love without sacrificing comfort or function. The garments within the collection focus on the use of balancing three key principles: function, expression, and aesthetic while having an emphasis on a collaborative design process. The collection has initial influences from lingerie wear but has since evolved into evening wear pieces that put the wearer in a dreamlike ethereal space. In Bloom showcases the romance behind sensuality and the celebration of living with disabilities. Scaling up imagery and silhouette from the initial collage of paper dolls and dried flowers, the designs reflect romanticism in the modern world with a reminiscent twist.

Details of In Bloom

Throughout the collection, each piece is made accessible to people of any ability through closures or specific construction. Within the pieces, large magnetic front clasps, magnetic buttons, elastic, and large necklines & slits are used to optimize ability to get into the clothes. With the help of multiple weekly fittings of people with disabilities and noting suggested improvements, I was able to develop pieces that made the models both comfortable and confident. Through these details, the garments balance principles of function and romantic design.