For a while, Crista Hooven was jaded by what she observed in the fashion industry. As an outsider looking in, the now-senior student wasn’t sure if the personalities often associated with the field lined up with hers—but she did know that she was intrigued by the elements of design.
It was Crista’s sister that encouraged her to pursue her love of fashion design and sewing, and a friend who lead her to O’More when looking for design programs. She says that at the end of her College years, she’s more motivated to jump into the industry, and has a clear picture of what she wants her career to look like.
“I knew I wanted to be at a place like O’More, in a creative environment where there is a lot feeling than other campuses. My initial hesitation was that the industry I chose would be more dominated by selfishness, but as I’ve been here I’ve seen that isn’t necessarily the case,” she says. “I’ve watched my dream grow and progress.”
On Friday, May 10, Crista will send both her junior and senior collections down the Eloise runway during the department’s annual fashion show. She says she’s particularly proud about “Dreamy,” a line inspired by her childhood affinity towards 1960’s nightgowns. She’s used a sea foam-blue vintage lace to set a soft color palate, and to create a collection of very wearable garments.
“I’ve always had a thing for the sleepwear department in a thrift store,” she says. “I’ve excited to show these pieces. They are simple, beautiful dresses that look to the past. I believe in the letting the fabrics speak.”
This spring, Crista was part of the “Designing for a Cause” course, which partnered with local non-profit organization WEareDAR to produce a Spring 2014 children’s clothing line that will give hope to Haitian women in extreme need. The resulting “aDARable” Spring 2014 children’s label, designed by six other students, will premiere Friday during the Eloise Student Fashion Show.
“This overall experience has been life-changing,” she says. “And not just on an emotional level. Our group really had to come together to create this line, and it was a character building process.”
Crista’s long-term plans include designing her own line, and eventually developing that into a storefront and studio. She says that throughout her career she wants to be able to invest into a community and its development, an aspect she’s always been interested in.
“I’m passionate about giving back. My original dream was to do something along the lines of aDARable, but it’s become clear to me that I can make a difference elsewhere too,” she says. “My dream is to be able to take care of women right here, in Nashville, and provide them will skills and a sustainable job.”
This summer, Crista will intern with WEareDAR and hopes to travel with the non-profit to Haiti as the organization prepares the aDARable Spring 2014 collection.
“This experience will be a great segue into what I want to do,” she says. “I came to school thinking I wanted to work in fair-trade clothing, so it’s perfect how well this all came together.”
