Senior Thesis

TIP OF THE ICEBERG

· TIP OF THE ICEBERG ·

“Tip of the Iceberg” is a Fall-Winter womenswear collection that explores the emotional and visual tension between perfectionism and freedom. Inspired by my upbringing in a culture that values achievement, structure, and control and later influenced by a more relaxed, expressive lifestyle in Savannah. The iceberg serves as a powerful metaphor, what’s visible above the surface is pristine, controlled, and symmetrical, while beneath lies an unseen, expansive world of fluidity and authenticity. Through this duality, the collection invites reflection on the layers we conceal beneath our pursuit of perfection.

The design process began with an exploration of the form and color relationships between the visible and submerged parts of an iceberg. I was inspired by the crisp, angular geometry of the exposed tip and the expansive forms below the waterline. This contrast informed the silhouettes, clean tailoring on the surface, paired with more organic, flowing, transparent shapes that speak to emotional freedom. Icy elements such as layered sheerness, and textures resembling frozen surfaces were incorporated into the designs. I used a range of blue tones, from soft glacial blues to deep navy blue, to reflect the natural gradient of icebergs, symbolizing the transition from the sharply defined surface to the mysterious and fluid layers beneath.

Talking about the fabric choices, I combined traditional tailoring fabrics, such as wool suiting and structured cotton, with softer, more expressive textiles like organdy and organza. To create greater cohesion and visual interest throughout the collection, I developed custom printed fabrics featuring original iceberg patterns. These prints were designed to echo the fractured, layered appearance of real icebergs, and allowed me to visually translate the metaphor into each look. The result is a collection where structure and texture meet in meaningful ways, and where the print serves as both a literal and symbolic representation of what lies beneath the surface. Additionally, I 3D-printed custom iceberg-shaped buttons, integrating digital fabrication into the finer details of the garments. These sculptural elements not only reinforce the core metaphor but also add a subtle, tactile contrast between the rigid precision of technology and the organic inspiration of nature.

Process

All patterns for the garments were developed first in CLO 3D, allowing me to digitally experiment with scale, fit, and movement. This digital workflow enabled me to visualize how structured and fluid elements would interact in real time and helped streamline the sampling process. After exporting and printing the patterns, I further refined select pieces by altering them by hand, intentionally disrupting the digital precision to introduce asymmetry, drape, and softness.

Designer: @suyoung_03

Director: @themusicmiranda

Cinematographer/Editor: @sammiewhite_film

Photographer: @niahjphotography

Makeup Artist: @amerila_.chu

Hair Stylist: @lilly.slagel

Production Assistant: @_caroltu_

Models:

@lindi_w

@lucycastelloe

@emma_parker004

Honored to share that my senior fashion collection, "Tip of the Iceberg," was featured on the SCAD Runway 2025 in Atlanta and spotlighted on the Vogue runway page.