Makayla Cook

Rather than build her collection based on inspiration from her muse, Makayla Cook chose her muse based on inspiration from her collection. Makayla started her collection with an idea for a dress, or more precisely a silhouette that she had had in her mind’s-eye (and in her sketchbook) for a while.

As she began sketching out her ideas, then exploring fabric options, she was able to relate to a designer, and began building from there.

Makayla is bringing a men’s look and a women’s look to the runway. And while the clean lines, wearablity, palette, and use of knits can easily be associated with Karan, they are also very much Makayla.

“I am inspired by clothing that is beautiful, but comfortable,” shared Makayla. “My collection is knitwear inspired by elegance and comfort.”

One of Makayla's looks being photographed.

Makayla also likes layering clothes, and appreciates the final look that can come with layering items that do not have an obvious connection.

“I love layers and things that you don’t think go together but then you put them together and they work.”

While working on the original dress that inspired her collection; she noticed, on the dress form next to her, a men’s jacket she had made earlier. Inspired, she pulled the jacket off the form and placed it over her dress. The end result is a long sleek knitwear dress topped by a men’s inspired, belted jacket. It is unique and urban.

“It’s an indie way of dressing up,” explains Makayla.

Another design element Makayla likes to play with is the use of line to accentuate the body. She adds extra seams to create a line effect that adds another texture of design. The use of lines ties back to Makayla’s approach to drawing and fine art. She has always seen and drawn in lines rather than the light and dark shadowing that other artists employ. Coming to CCAD meant she had to learn to see the shading and colors that were necessary in her painting and color concept classes. But she still loves clean lines and brings them back in her fashion work.

Screenshot of DK website showing sp 2011 "Casual Luxe" collection.

While making her collection, Makayla did not follow the design process in the same step by step manner as some of her peers, but her path to CCAD was a little more straight forward. A Columbus native, Makayla went to the Northeast Career Center during high school with a focus on fashion—but they focused more on the business side then the design side. She was encouraged by CCAD faculty member Ron Anderson to take some classes in the college’s Saturday Morning Art Classes and to consider getting her BFA from CCAD.

Four years later, she is ready to graduate. But first she will see her collection walk down the runway on May 13.

Get your tickets now before they run out  www.ccad.edu/fashion.