When aspiring fashion designer Ashley Sanders bumped into longtime industry professional Judiann Echezabal one afternoon in downtown Springfield, Georgia, the pair hit it off immediately. With shared interests in fashion and intricate handiwork that makes a formal gown truly shine, the duo teamed up to create a collection that debuted in February during Fashion Week in New York City.
And now Hostess City haute couture-ians have a chance to view some of their looks. Beginning Thursday, June 6, running Saturday, June 8, Echezabal and Sanders present “Tectonics of Craft: Reclaiming the Timeless” at Gallery 2424, located at 2424 Drayton St., in the Starland District. On Friday, the designers host a reception from 4 to 8 p.m.
For Sanders, graduating this month from Savannah College of Art and Design with a Master of Fiber Arts degree, the exhibit serves as thesis and culmination of her studies. Originally from Springfield, Sanders majored in music at Georgia Southern University but always had a penchant for fashion and design. In recent years, she refined her crochet and handiwork skills and found that these connective methods not only unite sections of garments, but also unify them to make the greater design stand out.
“The show’s name ‘Tectonics of Craft’ refers to the underlying process of construction in creating garments and design pieces,” reflected Sanders. “I’ve made dresses, lampshades, pillows and more, and I’ve found that construction techniques are this connective piece that inspires me as designer.”
One example is “Emma,” a satin-silver formal length gown adorned with repurposed vintage jewelry on the bodice. The timeless full-cut dress flows elegantly, with silver chains and vintage rhinestones that hint of bold moves and risk taking. The gown springs from the mind of Echezabal and shines with jeweled embellishments added by Sanders highlighting the creative working relationship between the women.
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About a year ago Echezabal opened “Judiann’s Fashion Design Studios” in Springfield where she teaches workshops and focuses on her innovative couture. A veteran New York City designer, in the past three decades, Echezabal has taught at the Pratt Institute, Long Island University, and Columbia University. Currently, she teaches online for Parsons. Opening her studio in Effingham County is the realization of a lifelong dream in which Sanders has risen as key contributor.
“Meeting Ashley was one of those meant to be moments,” said Echezabal. “She began as apprentice but now Ashley is an integral part of what we are doing. She’s the studio assistant and works with me making formal wear, making jewelry, and teaching sewing classes.”
“Tyra” is another garment revealing the sophisticated partnership between Echezabal and Sanders.
Echezabal designed the beaded, black-and-silver, argyle-inspired romper, and then Sanders integrated crisscrossing chains to reflect the theme of the piece. Sanders also created matching earrings and shoes.
“We even designed undergarments to create a complete head-to-toe look with ‘Tyra,’” recalled Echezabal. “When you design and make everything, it gives such great satisfaction to see it on a model, or even just well displayed for more people to look at.”
Though Sanders is enthusiastic about high end couture, she also enjoys constructing whimsical pieces. Featured in the show is a set of human-proportioned butterfly wings constructed from jacquard-woven fabric she designed.
“This was my Halloween costume last year,” recalled Sanders. “I drew the fabric by hand then created a digital copy that a textile company produced. But I cut up all the pieces and assembled them by hand. It took a couple months to finalize.”
Sanders reveals spent all last August working up the fabric design and a couple weeks back and forth with the company to refine the digital draft. It then took a few more weeks to assemble the wings, fringe, buttons, and beads. For the show, Sanders plans to display them so that patrons can pose and take selfies.
The show at Gallery 2424 is just the beginning for Echezabal and Sanders. In August, the team heads to renowned Bridal Week in Atlanta, and in September they return to New York City for Fall Fashion Week. Also in the mix is Echezaba’s researching traveling to Paris with her designs. The duo’s work went over so well in February that a few international shows reached out to her.
In the meantime, Echezabal and Sanders are thrilled to show their work in Savannah and are looking forward to meeting more in the community interested in design and making garments.
“We’re excited to show people what we can do,” emphasized Sanders. “For me this show is all about intricate handwork and construction and highlighting that detail in each form to really show the artwork involved in each piece. And maybe people will embrace handwork and construction as much as we do.”
If you go >>
What: “Tectonics of Craft: Reclaiming the Timeless”
Where: Gallery 2424, 2424 Drayton St., Savannah
When: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., June 6-June 8; Artist reception 4 to 8 p.m., June 7
Cost: Free to attend
