Ella Winkler
How did it all start?
For my 12th birthday party my friends and I got together and made the simplest pajama shorts my mom could find. My best friend wore those pajama pants into adulthood. This was my first introduction to how powerful fashion can be. From there I gained invaluable technical and design experience during my time at the Savannah College of Art and Design. It was here that I discovered one of my greatest passions: knitting. This introduction into textiles was revolutionary for my design process. The structure of knitting opens so many possibilities for sustainability and technology. After Graduation, I rekindled my relationships with performing arts after growing up as a ballet dancer for 12 years. Costuming gives me the chance to use my design skills and historical knowledge to push my storytelling abilities.
Where do I find inspiration?
The more you look, the more you see. Inspiration strikes in the moments of stillness. The start to any good design begins with researching the past. Observing how the past has shaped our present helps me impact the future in the ways I want to see.
I am deeply moved by the love for sustainability. I am so inspired by the beautiful worlds around me and make sure my process gives the respect the environment deserves. The most sustainable products are the ones that already exist, so everything I make starts from sourcing secondhand materials first.
What does the future look like?
Its no secret that the fashion industry is frivolously wasteful. There have been so many innovations in textiles and technology, the wastefulness of this industry is inexcusable. Small changes can have big impacts, but it all starts with care and awareness. This problem was created by humans, it can only be solved by us. From cultural expressions to althetic performance, the impact of fashion is indeniable. It is up to us to decide what that impact will be.
software in my process
Adobe
Photoshop, Illustrator, and the rest of Adobe Suite help me bring by creative ideas to life.
Office
Excell, Sheets, and Canva help me stay organized and communicate ideas across teams.
Clo3D
Digital patternmaking helps streamline the process and cuts down on prototyping waste.