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Angelina Morales '24 has always been interested in fashion – so much so that she learned to sew in order to make her own clothes. She enjoyed altering and upcycling her clothes to personalize them and make them feel unique.

When Morales learned more about fast fashion, a business model that focuses on quickly mass-producing clothing at a low cost in response to trends, she began to see her hobby differently. She realized that reconstructing old clothing into something new had a purpose – it was, unlike fast fashion, much more sustainable. She said it gave her hobby even more meaning, and it also inspired her senior design project at the University.

Morales's project was displayed in the University's Seton Gallery as part of the Department of Art and Design Senior Show, an annual showcase of seniors' capstone projects. It included the work of students majoring in graphic design, art, and interior design, enabling them to share their projects with the Charger community. Morales was excited to share her work, her inspiration, and her passion.

"The process of deconstructing and reconstructing clothing is so rewarding to me," said Morales, a new graphic design graduate. "It requires the creativity to reimagine premade products. Doing so really brings the life back into a garment that was no longer loved anymore. When I see a piece of clothing that needs to be refreshed, my mind starts to reimagine it, and once I see the vision, I bring it to life."

Morales's project included a box of clothing that represented only a tiny fraction of a percentage of the clothing that is discarded in landfills every year. She also presented an outfit made entirely out of recycled clothing items. It included a corset top made from a pair of sneakers and a purse constructed from material from a rain jacket. She also displayed an ottoman created from upholstery fabric samples and clear vinyl that she stuffed with scrap fabric. She hoped to demonstrate that upcycled clothing can be a zero-waste process that can indeed keep materials out of landfills.

"I really hope my project was eye-opening to the people who buy clothes often, especially fast fashion, and who don't realize what they are supporting," she said. "I would like to have made an impact on individuals to help them be more aware of the industry's secrets and to encourage them to support more sustainable brands that will provide them with higher-quality products that were made with intention."

Morales's work was one of many remarkable projects that included a variety of media, such as comic books. Students explored important topics in their work, including vulnerability and menstruation.

One student conducted more than two dozen interviews with women of different ages in which she asked them about their experiences with menstruation. The student then compiled a book that focused on menstruation-related issues such as financial impact and social stigma. The provided 2,000 menstruation kits with pads and tampons that were distributed at the gallery free of charge.

Prof. Gene Mayer, a practitioner in residence in the University's Department of Art and Design, was excited about the students' projects, and he was thrilled that so many Chargers came to see them.

"The opening reception was the largest turnout we've had in recent years," he said. "We were particularly pleased that both Dean Menon and President Frederiksen attended and were able to spend time talking with the students, family members, and instructors."

For Morales, displaying her work in the gallery wasn't just exciting, it was transformative. When she saw the interest that her project generated and how it captivated her audience, she realized she wanted to share her work even further. She's now planning to expand on her project and, possibly, explore collaborating with local businesses who share her vision.

"I never would have imagined that I would have married my skills of graphic design with fashion design, but they require similar attention to detail," she said. "Learning the design process of doing research, creating an idea, having to sketch it out, creating the design, and sharing with my audience has prepared me for this work."