Design Proccess

My Journey: My experience at Drexel has been defined by balancing independence, pressure, and identity. I struggled with ADHD, stress, and isolation while trying to meet expectations in a competitive environment. At the same time, I discovered creative freedom, community, and the desire to merge streetwear, music, sports, and pop culture into a unified design voice. My journey reflects a shift from survival → self-definition → purpose.

Emotional Themes: 

• External expectations vs. internal chaos.
  
  

• Feeling judged or misunderstood.
  
  

• Desire for authenticity, representation, and self-expression.
  
  

• Constant negotiation between responsibility and escape.

• 1998 Chicago Bulls: Pressure, urgency, & psychological endurance.

• Dennis Rodman: Rebellion, emotional survival, chaos, & self-expression.

• Michael Jordan: Discipline, expectations, identity through pressure.

• Scottie Pippen: Imbalance, & responsibility.

• Phil Jackson: Zen, mindfulness, & balance.

• Las Vegas: Chaos, overstimulation, & an "escape".

• Carmen Electra: Glamour, visibility, & escapism.

• Hulk Hogan & NWO: Spectacle, identity exaggeration, persona-building.

Problem Statement: How can apparel capture the tension between external expectations & the internal chaos by empowering self-definition through an identity?

Insight Statement: Dennis Rodman's 1998 Las Vegas trip during the NBA Finals acts as a metaphor for my own conflict between pressure, performance, rebellion, & survival; the same blend of necessity & disorder at Drexel University. 

• Dennis Rodman: 

Themes- Survival, rebellion, unpredictability

Visual Cues- Neon hair colors, metallics, asymmetry, layering, distressed, 

Keywords- chaotic, freedom, overstimulation, burnout

Textures- mesh, rubber, rough denim, chrome

Color Cues- toxic greens, hot pinks, cyber yellow, black

• Michael Jordan:

Themes- performance, expectation, perfection

Visual Cues- clean silhouettes, precision tailoring, basketball materials

Keywords- control, dominance, sacrifice

Textures- polished leather, matte nylon, engineered mesh

Color Cues- Bulls red, black, white, gold

• Carmen Electra:

Themes- nightlife, sensuality, illusion

Visual Cues- velvet, faux fur, glitter, sequins, dark room + bright flash

Keywords- seduction, fantasy, limelight

Textures- satin, shimmer fabrics, faux fur

Color Cues- deep purple, blush pink, silver, nightclub black

• Phil Jackson:

Themes- Calmness, clarity

Visual Cues- minimalism, earth tones, natural materials

Keywords- order, control, meditation

Textures- linen, soft cotton, bamboo weaves

Color Cues- beige, olive, bone white, muted grey

• Hulk Hogan:

Themes- Theatrical identity, bravado

Visual Cues- Black & white NWO branding, graphic typography, exaggerated shapes

Keywords- persona, entertainment, brother

Textures- glossy PVC, printed cotton, wrestling belts

Color Cues- black, white, chrome, flame gradient

• Scottie Pippen:

Themes- Unseen weight, imbalance, responsibility

Visual Cues- negative space, x-ray graphics, shadow imagery

Keywords- absence, expectation, hidden-pressure

Textures- matte black, semi-transparent mesh

Color Cues- faded red, shadow gray, muted brown