Sarah Pruden still has a garment she created when she was 11.

It seems to be a pattern (pun intended) that most fashion designers knew from an early age that they wanted to work in fashion in some facet or another. Whether they raided their own closet for fabric to create doll clothes, orchestrated their own wardrobe from pieces they had designed, or were recognized for their talent at putting together unique looks, the passion for fashion took root early.

Sarah Pruden is no exception. At the tender age of 11, she started sketching and creating her own clothes because she couldn’t find things she really liked in stores. She even turned her affinity for the color combination of red, white, and blue into a full-fledge outfit that she still has in her possession today.

“It’s a red, white, and blue pantsuit that I would never wear today. I had this red, white, and blue obsession and loved to put the colors together,” she laughs. “It’s all crinkled now because I had it in my portfolio forever.”

Her patriotic theme may no longer be part of her design repertoire; however, she is still inspired by a multitude of styles and cultures that have weaved in and out of her own personal experiences.

“I’m inspired by many different things, not always something particular,” says Sarah. “It could be something in nature, the city, patterns and colors. Gothic culture inspires me and I’ve also incorporated a lot of the ’80s and ’90s clothing styles and music into my pieces.”

Paintings by Salvador Dali, including “The Lugubrious Game,” as well as “Wave” a sculpture by Curtis Jere also provided an artistic vision for her senior collection. Sarah, who normally favors darker fabrics, tried to incorporate Dali’s rich color palette into her collection and mimic the sense of flowing motion she felt throughout both of her muses’ pieces.

Sarah's designs are a mix of girly and gothic inspiration.

“I created something a little different than what I usually do. I usually do things that are a little dark, with kind of gothic punk mix,” notes Sarah. “ I wanted to add more color, but still keep my edgy look with it.”

The result is a collection of unique “cocktail-like” dresses fashioned from bolts of iridescent satins and taffetas. They have a slight girly presentation, but emit elements of Sarah’s fondness for a gothic edge.

“A compliment that has always stuck with me is that a lot of my designs are very original,” she says. “A few people have said they have always disliked style trends and were very excited about mine.”

Her future style trends are still a bit of a mystery for Sarah and she’s OK with that, but welcomes any opportunity that comes her way after graduation.

“I’m pretty open and I am ready to go wherever life takes me,” reflects Sarah “Although I would love to have a good start to my online store, selling my custom T-shirt designs, bags, jewelry, and any other clothing apparel.”

You’ll get a sneak peek of Sarah’s designs at the 2012 CCAD Senior Fashion Show, but only if you get your ticket soon.

The jury. Photo by Lian Dziura (CCAD 2012).

The jury results are in and 15 designers will show their collections (more than 50 garments total) at the 2012 Senior Fashion Show. The designers were allowed to show up to six garments at the judging on March 1, after which the jury recommended the final  garments that should be in the show.

This year the designers were asked to find inspiration for their collection from both painters and sculptors. The works had to be produced in the same era and the artists had to be working prior to the mid 20^th century.

Below is a list of the participating designers and their collection inspiration. If you want to see their garments walk down the runway, you better get your tickets soon. (Prices go up March 15.)

1.) Tasha Naneth Bolton
Painter: Albert Henrich, “Still Life with Hat and Collar”
Sculptor: Axel Erlandson, “The Basket Tree”

2.) Rachel Cass
Painter: Salvador Dali
Sculptor: Louise Bourgeois

3.) Tasha Dircksen
Painter: Max Ernst, “33 Little Girls Chasing Butterflies”
Sculptor: Rudolph Belling, “Bluetenmotiv”

4.) Alyssa Johnson
Painter: Gustav Klimt, “Water Serpents I”
Sculptor: Boleslas Biegas, “The Haunted House”

5.) Rachel Kaplan
Painter: Georgia O’Keeffe, “Red Canna”
Sculpture: Umberto Boccioni, “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space”

6.) Sarah Pruden
Painter: Salvador Dali
Sculptor: Louise Nevelson

7.) Skyler Riggins
Painter: Georges Braque, “Man with a Guitar”
Sculptor: Barbara Hepworth, “Group of Three Magic Stones”

8.) Kristin Rose
Painter: Vincent Van Gogh
Sculptor: William Rimmer

9.) Nuonan Ruan
Painter: Chu Teh-Chun

10.) Annika Simmons
Painter: Jean Honore Fragonard, “Stolen Kiss”

11.) Amanda Mae Smith
Painter: Alphonse Mucha, “La Blonde”
Sculptor:  Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s Park Guell

12.) Joella Stallard
Painter: Max Ernst, “The Blind Swimmer”
Sculptor: Constantine Brancusi, “Bird in Space”

13.) Jennifer Tang
Painter: Wassily Kandinsky
Sculptor: Edward Erikson

14.) Michele Watson
Painter: Yinka Shonibare
Sculptor: Armand Fernandez

15.) Shirley Weng
Painter: Francis Picabia
Sculptor: Nanm Gabo