Hi-Tech History: "Artist of the Month for October 2014: Elaine Morton"

Our organization wants to archive our member's past accomplishments. We hope to preserve the memories and experiences created by past members. Here is a piece on Hi-Tech Fashion Group Artist of the Month, Elaine Morton. We are proud of our organization's history and leadership on Tech's campus.

Written: Sunday, October 12, 2014

"Hey Fashionists and Fashionistas!

Elaine Morton will be our Artist of the month for October. She is a Senior in Apparel Design and Manufacturing minoring in Jewelry Design. I had an interview with her last week and asked about her story behind her designs. Hope you enjoy reading it and get some inspiration from her story! 

You can check out more about her designs in her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ElaineEliseDoubleE

- How did you decide to become a fashion designer?

     It started in my early teens in middle school when I decided to make a handbag from my own design. I thought it was an epic fail. Then I played with clothes, cut different things, copied some other clothes that I already had. From there I taught myself to sew and read patterns. I spent so much time at the local sewing center they eventually hired me at sixteen as a sale rep. 

     I have had a few defining moments in my life that have shaped my desire to pursue fashion design. In  high school, I won the Plano Live Green Reconstructed Garment competition and my line created in fashion design class was featured in a local magazine. For this competition, I took four old prom dresses and turned them into little cocktail dresses. I modeled them myself as well. These events pointed me toward a path in design and influenced my decision to pursue a degree in fashion design. 

- What does fashion mean to you?

     It is your own style in a way. You just have to be confident and rock it. It is a mix of something new and personal style.

- How would you describe your style?

     Right now I kind of like edge, motorcycle style with studs and leather. I also like girly stuff like dresses and floral prints. I like pairing them together and mixing the different materials like denim, leather, studs making it all work together. I like to work with classic colors like black and white also one pop of color which is usually red or burgundy. 

- What inspires you when you are creating your designs?

     Traveling really inspires me. I spent a transformative summer studying in Florence, Italy. I loved it. It was very inspiring. It opened my eyes to the inspiration and countless possibilities in the world and in myself.  

- I know you also do modeling. How does it add to your repertoire being a model and designing as well?

     I know how difficult it is to wear some dresses. I know what is comfortable and what is not. It helps me with my designs in a good way. When I design I try it on myself first and go from there. 

- How do you combine your minor Jewelry Design with Apparel Design?

     I like making the garment first then incorporating it with jewelry. I try to make them go together. Something jewelry design classes thought me that you need to make something new and exciting. You shouldn't make something that is already out there otherwise nobody will buy it. 

- Tell me about the jeans you designed and last year for contest.

     Freshman year they opened up the competition for freshman so I decided to enter and give it a try. I went to one of my professors and asked her if I can enter in. She gave me a fabric and said "You are not ready yet, you don't know how to use the special machines for denim". I did it anyways for experience and of course I didn't win. Then I did it again the following year and in 2013 I was selected as the winner as a sophomore and received an all expense trip to New York City and the North Carolina Cotton Council headquarters.

- Was it hard to design jeans?

     It is something everyone wears everyday so you have to make it comfortable and wearable but also put in a new design that is something different. It was very challenging for me but I really enjoyed it.

- What was the inspiration behind your design for jeans?

     Both jeans that I designed kind of played off each other. The first one was more like motorcycle style. It inspired me for the second pair I designed. 

- What is your favorite material to work with?

     I really like to work with leather. I am still experiencing and learning new techniques everyday. 

- What are your favorite designers?

     I have always liked Chanel. Lately I like Rag&Bone. It inspires me for my designs with leather. 

-What are your future plans in fashion industry?

     My dream is to have my own business called "Elaine Elise". First I just want to work for a big name company to get some connections and experience. I also would love to go abroad and work. There is an internship in H&M in Sweden that I would love to do."