Rachel DeLange turns thrift store treasures in to designer diamonds.
"The most timeless trend is recycling. There will always be new trends and new clothing being manufactured, and they will come and go, but revisiting and reinventing retro clothing and patterns will never die," she said.
The local fashion maven makes her own designs inspired by old clothing, and then sews them together herself as well.
"Recycling has played a big role in my life and allowed me to explore fashion design in such a way that I wouldn't have been able to if I had to invest in fabric by the yard. It is challenging to use old material, but my designs wouldn't be as unique as they are if I didn't work under that restriction," she said. "I see this as a really positive side of the fashion industry in a world of consumerism."
Less traditional, DeLange doesn't necessarily come up with a design and figure out how to put it together- she's inspired by the fabric or already made clothing she sees and designs from there.
"The thing about Rachel is that she just goes for it," says Tory Roff, DeLange's longtime boyfriend and observer. "She may not always know where a piece is going to end, but she lets material, process and experimentation inform her designs until she discovers something that she likes."
Her designs are whimsical. They are often brightly colored, and range from 80s style to a more bohemian look. In addition, they have an odd flair.
Many of the garments have stripes of differing colors, and they often combine colors of contrast. Bright pink with a couple different shades of reddish brown is one example of this.
DeLange doesn't stick to trends, choosing to create from the fabric, not from what she sees in stores.
"Since I'm inspired more by old fabric than current trends, and my designs go straight from my mind to actuality, there's no common currency- no one else could make what I make, because I don't design from patterns," she said. "I continue to be inspired as I work, match, and problem solve."
Making a piece can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.
"I see something new in an old piece of clothing that I've had for a long time or in one that someone else has discarded and bring it to my sewing room to match with other material I have there. I drape and pin and rework it until I can see the original design concept or a new idea emerging that will work with the fabric I've chosen. I'm my own model so I can sew on my own time schedule, often in to late hours of the night," DeLange said.
She's been working in fashion since her freshman year at Calvin College. The Mass Media major participated in several school organized events. Most recently, DeLange designed in September for the Local Threads show at Founder's and the Columbia Arts District Fashion show in Holland. She also organized a show called Fashion Project GR.
"I planned it because I knew that with my focus on advertising in school, and because of my interest in fashion, I needed to learn how to network. And it worked. I connected with so many people, and the show took off," she said.
Lynn Serulla worked with DeLange for both Local Threads and Fashion Project GR.
"She's one of those girls who's super creative," Serulla said, "but she also has a business mind. She's pretty crafty with her hands."
A senior, DeLange will complete her final semester in Thailand. But, she says, she will keep fashion on her mind while she is there.
"In Thailand, the way you dress is a statement of respect for others, not individuality, so I will be silently note taking during the next five months," said DeLange. "I'm sure my travels will affect my outlook on life and be expressed through what I design, so I'm excited to look that far in to the future and start a new line."
Rachel DeLange plans to put a website up to sell her clothing next year.
