Constricted Elegance
A Conceptual Exploration of ‘Yearning’ as an Emotional Driver for Spring/Summer 2026.
The Ask:
Tasked with interpreting the concept of ‘yearning’ through a fashion lens, examining its emotional significance to inform design direction, deepen consumer connection, and elevate the collection’s aesthetic narrative.
Florence, Italy
Applied Skills:
CANVA Proficiency
EMOTIONAL Branding
SENSORY Design
PRESENTATION Design
BRAND IDENTITY Development
Process:
INITIAL Inspiration
2. IMAGE CURATION
3. COLOR Guide
4. COMPLETE Concept
This project was created in collaboration with peers Kimanh Tran and Louis Pratt at the International School of Art. Louis, an advertising and marketing communications major, offered a distinct strategic lens, while Kimmy and I applied our fashion merchandising backgrounds to shape the project’s creative and stylistic direction.
A Collaborative Effort
Constricted Elegance captures the tension between control and release. In our interpretation of yearning, we drew heavily from the human form, using it as a symbol of the raw, unfiltered nature of desire. Our visual language was shaped by the work of Robert Wun, Iris Van Herpen, and Elie Saab, whose approaches to structure, movement, and fluidity informed our creative direction.
Inital Inspiration
-Robert Wun, FW 2024
-Iris Van Herpen, SS 2022
-Elie Saab, SS 2004
2. Image Curation
To curate our imagery, we sourced visuals from magazines and digital platforms that captured both the strength and fragility within the emotion we sought to express. These references informed our focus on layered textures and structural silhouettes, guiding our choices in palette and material.
3. Color Guide
Palette Keywords: Eerie, Natural, Uncertain, Desperate, Raw
4. Complete Concept
Who will this collection speak to?
Consumers between 25 and 40 years old who gravitate towards fashion that feels bold yet refined.
They love contemporary, couture-inspired pieces with individuality and structures that are thought-provoking. They’re mature in their style, not chasing trends, but drawn to clothes that say something quietly powerful.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Forward-Thinking Approaches to Fashion
Color & Fabric Integration
Proficient Consumer Insight