Madison Detro, an Academy of Art University design student, was one of the 12 designers who presented their SS15 collection during the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week. It was by no surprise that she pulled her inspiration from Le Corbusier’s famous chapel, Notre Dame du Haut de Ronchamp, since she has an undergraduate’s degree in architecture. “I played to the quirkiness of his building and the interesting shapes and forms that he created. I wanted that to translate into my garments.”
The Notre Dame du Haut de Ronchamp is a structure of soft form, very sleek and minimal in detailing. It’s a modern designed chapel, which is completely different from the international design aesthetics for that time. Just how Le Corbusier pushed the elements of design, so did Detro when delivering her SS15 collection. She was one of the few designers to present a monotone collection. Detro presented an all cherrwood-red collection with mostly lambskin leathers and calf suede. As a whole, her collection was powerful and was the most daring out of the five students presenting their garments. Her models demanded every bit of attention from the audience and the photographers as they marched down the runway to hypnotizing beats. My favorite of the collection was the first piece that walked down the runway. A leather draped top and leather pant set. It was sexy, alluring, but yet carefree, which is something I feel that all women should be.
Being a student designer can be tough. You not only have lectures to attend, but you have to focus most of your energy to producing a standout collection that will get noticed by the faculty in hopes of getting the chance of presenting during New York Fashion Week. When asked what was her favorite part of her design process was, she stated that she enjoyed every part of the process. “Being able to do the sketch, to the sample, to the final product –it was really interesting to see how everything changed over time.” Most of Detro’s success to come will be by keeping that same attitude towards her design process. Most young designers get caught up in focusing on the final collection that they forget to enjoy every stage that they are in. Because Detro focused on each stage of the process her outcome of the collection was superb. She was able to take those daring design steps in order to have the audience captivated by what she loves.
Although this young, but talented designer is just getting started, keep your eye out for her and expect great things. She plans on getting started right away with designing her own line.
