FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fashion Design Student’s Work Inspired by Past Pain
Chicago, IL – Tyesha Belton was just seven years old when she started making the long journey on public transportation by herself to get to school. Between the ages eight and 18 she would ride the “L” to get away from home – wherever that happened to be that month. She and her drug-addicted mother were constantly moving from apartment to a friend’s home to a motel.
Today, the 26-year-old fashion design student at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago is using her childhood experiences as inspiration for some of her clothing designs. And one of her latest designs is getting special attention. Her creation, titled “Life’s Journey from There to Here” was chosen for the runway show at the Fashion and Media Extravaganza (FAME).
The dress symbolizes Belton’s travels on the ‘L’ with the various train routes imprinted on the fabric. A black distressed jacket is worn over the dress and then thrown off and dragged behind to symbolize the dark period in Belton’s life giving way to light. Her design is part of a larger segment called “Outer Beauty/ Inner Truth”. Students were encouraged to use their garments as a vehicle to share their stories of transformation.
FAME is a collection of the top work by students at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago. The event will be held at Harris Theater for Music and Dance on March 10 at noon and 6 p.m. In addition to the fashion show, students also compiled a filmmaking and animation show.
For more information about FAME 2010, visit www.fame-chicago.com. To speak with Belton, contact Natalia Derevyanny at 312.777.8640 or nderevyanny@aii.edu.
About The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago
The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago offers bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs in culinary, design, fashion and media arts. Graduates are trained for entry-level positions in their chosen fields through curricula that emphasize job skills and competencies necessary for success in the field. The college attracts a diverse mix of students from throughout the Chicago area and world. For more information about The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago, call the college at 312.280.3500 or visit the school’s website at www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago.
###
