Olivia Kohorst

My name is Olivia Kohorst and I am a second year GCC fashion student. For this year’s fashion show Ebullition I have created a scene pertaining to the japanese syllable ai standing for sadness, with the title sorrow. Sorrow defined is a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. Being quite a happy person daily, the choice to represent sorrow through my scene may have come as a surprise to those who know me. However I wished not to express my own sorrow (which I currently have little of) but speak up, express, and bring awareness for those that feel unable to do so themselves. Inspired by the recent mental health awareness movement I find it important to give everyone an equal chance to be seen. Through my collection I want to challenge everyone to step into others shoes and genuinely try to understand struggles that we may not be familiar, experienced, or recognized within ourselves in order to increase compassion and understanding of all around us. The inclusion of muted and moody hues such as black, grey, cream, and dark blue seen throughout my garments aim to bring that sorrowful feeling to the audience. This aim is also included in the silhouettes featured in the collection which consists of baggy loungewear. The point of view I really strived to capture though my collection was that of an individual so weighed down by their sorrow that they find it impossible to get out of bed. Portraying such a deep emotion was important to me because I want others to realize that what they see is not always the truth. In order for us as a society to grow and thrive, we must treat our neighbours with kindness and respect. This includes the neighbours that “act different”, “don’t talk much”, or “have a sloppy appearance” because the truth is you do not and can not know what they are going through until you “offer that helping hand”, “give them a kind hello”, and “show them someone cares”. Everyone deserves to feel valid in this life and that is my challenge to those viewing my collection, who can you give validation to today?

Throughout the course of the fashion show there were many struggles that fellow designers and I had to overcome in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting now I find this situation very fitting for the theme of the show considering the amount of emotions I have gone through during each COVID-19 update, each new rule to be followed, and each new plan (going from A-D). I started off very much in my chosen emotion, sorrow, when learning that the college campus had closed due to the virus and that the fashion show would no longer be able to be held in the arena leaving only alternative options. Moving to confusion and anger as week by week our next brilliant plan to keep the show going was denied. Finally landing on plan D of having an online lookbook “fashion show” I find myself content and moving toward happiness and joy as we continue to create and explore a concept that’s never been done before in GCC fashion show history. However the anger, confusion, and sadness has not all vanished.

In keeping with set rules during the pandemic I had to say goodbye to many of my initial models that were to bring my scene to life. Only being able to use those you lived with as models presented a struggle and took away the diversity I wanted present in my scene. Fortunately enough I happened to live with two of my models and am able to model myself, however I still had to get creative and adjust garments to make sure my vision was presented correctly. In addition I created my own background to ensure the feeling of sorrow was eminent and the picture of an weighed down individual unable to leave the bed was pursued. Overcoming these challenges during such a difficult time and producing a fashion show in the way we have this year will stand as a reminder that the show must go on and that giving up is not an option, anything and everything is achievable sometimes you just have to get creative.

I was born and raised in East Pembroke, NY and I graduated from Pembroke Jr/Sr. High School. In five years I hope to be married and have a successful personal shop selling upcycled clothing as well as personal design requests that I can manage from a home office. I want to work in the fashion industry because of the creativity and expressiveness clothing can bring to someone’s life. My favorite book series is by far “The Immortal Instruments” by Cassandra Clare because they capture the right amount of fantasy while tying in biblical references. I also find these books helpful in enhancing my vocabulary and personal writing style. To getconnected, my LinkedIn is @oliviakohorst and my instagram portfolio is @olivia_sews.