Preview: More West 18th Street Fashion Show Designers

The Talent Behind the Fashion and Jewelry

Interview by Pam Taylor. Photography by Dana Beck and Ryan McElwain / R. Patrick Images.

Published: Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Present; What have you done that is new/exciting/different/unusual for this show in comparison to your regular work? OR How has working with this theme changed your usual approach/work/design/process?

Nelsen: I’m very excited about my collection because it has provided me the perfect opportunity to combine my many loves —fashion, graphic design, and illustration. The main focus of my collection is the contrast of graphic prints with structured pieces. There is a theme of beauty, symmetry, and decadence in natural elements which I’ve captured in my collection.

Sarah Nelsen West 18th Street 2010
Image courtesy of Sarah Nelson.
Digital print. Image courtesy of Sarah Nelson.

I designed all the graphic prints and worked with First2Print, a NY/LA based printer focused on fabric printing to digitally print my designs which I then cut and constructed. Their printing credentials reads like a who’s who list in the fashion world. They’ve worked with Jeremy Scott, Michael Angel, Serena Williams, and now, of course, me. What’s so amazing about digitally printing for apparel use is that I can be as creative as I want to be—there are no limitations like having to stick with a repeating pattern or yardage requirement. Essentially the fabric acts like a large canvas, and that’s how I’ve treated my designs. If you take a look at what’s walking down the runway these days you see how digital print has transformed the landscape. Many designers (including my favorites, Basso & Brooke) are utilizing this technology to be even more specific with their design. We can really see the union of the form and surface design come together seamlessly.

Sarah Nelsen West 18th Street 2010
Image courtesy of Sarah Nelson.
Quixotic Fusion costume. Image courtesy of Sarah Nelson.

Present: What's the challenge/pleasure/excitement in being in the West 18th Street fashion show?

Nelsen: The biggest challenge is probably the most universal, and that is time. After finding out that I was in this year’s show, I had to get to work quickly! We only have a couple of months to design, pattern, test (and, for me, print), sew, fit, and finish five complete decadent looks. Many, if not all of the designers work full-time (including me) or are students, so making it into the show requires an extreme amount of dedication.

The most exciting part of this experience is having creative freedom and getting to work with the best talents in the city to bring the collection to life. Lisa Goshon, owner of Seduzione Leggs collaborated with me on legwear/hosiery for the collection, James Pillatzke, owner of Pinkie Couture, will be creating elaborate hairstyles, Julie Pope, TIGI Cosmetic Educator for makeup, and Samantha Levi will be photographing my collection. I’ve got a wonderfully talented and beautiful group of models as well. I really couldn’t be any happier with how things have turned out and am quite honored to be part of Kansas City’s premier fashion event. I’d say if you had to only attend one fashion show in Kansas City, this is THE event for original design and high production value. It is wonderful to have such a gem of a show take place in the Crossroads of Kansas City.