Returning Wildcats can bid on custom-designed denim at Homecoming fundraiser

What was the inspiration for your design?

For my design, I wanted to capture what Arizona feels and looks like to me being an out-of-state student. I wanted to create a jacket that made a statement when worn, perfect for any event. Everywhere I go, there's always mountains and the sun shining brightly, but I also wanted to incorporate Arizona's roots in cowboy culture and Native American history. I like to call the jacket "New Perspective" because coming from Louisiana to Arizona has given me a different way to look at things around me and integrate them into my work.

How did you bring your design to life?

I actually created a denim jacket design long before I even considered doing the redesign. I'd heard about the project in passing one day and immediately got inspired to start sketching and planning. The sketching took the longest out of the process, because I didn't want to settle for something that I wasn't going to be passionate about creating. In the end, I sketched and created a jacket that I'm proud to call my own design.

What are your post-graduation goals?

Once I graduate, I plan to go to graduate school for either marketing or fashion. I plan to build my portfolio more and add plenty of new experiences under my belt through travel. This project was the first of many that I can't wait to work on in the future.

What was the inspiration for your design?

My inspiration for both of my designs were our beautiful Arizona desert landscape. I wanted to create something unique that showcased Arizona's beauty in my eyes.

How did you bring your design to life?

Sewing was the easier part, coming up with the idea was challenging. Let's just say I spent a little more time on Pinterest than I'd like to admit.

What are your post-graduation goals?

I want to continue learning and creating fashion. My goal is to make sure that my life revolves around clothes and the arts.

What was the inspiration for your design?

The inspiration of my design was just to make a super fun jacket that's modern but also nods to the University of Arizona's game day heritage. I always loved having fun with my friends on game days and putting on a cute UofA outfit!

How did you bring your design to life?

I brought the fringe jacket to life by cutting up a pair of thrifted jeans into fringe and sewing them onto the sleeves, as well as a thrifted Wildcat tee shirt on the back panel. For the studded jacket, I started with handpicking a bunch of vintage U of A patches and hammering the studs into the jacket one by one!

What are your post-graduation goals?

My post-grad goals include getting my masters degree! I am currently enrolled at the Vogue College of Fashion in London, where I am studying International Luxury Business!

What was the inspiration for your design?

My inspiration came from the beautiful Arizona sunsets, the desert landscapes, and the roads that remind me of home. I wanted to include details like the cacti and the “AZ” to represent Arizona, along with an “A” on the front to represent the University of Arizona. I also wanted to incorporate elements inspired by the bazaar, since I’ve always loved the creativity, colors, and unique pieces you can find in those spaces. Overall, I wanted the jacket to feel personal and represent my love for fashion while bringing together the places and experiences that have been meaningful to me.

How did you bring your design to life?

I designed and created the jacket myself, working through the design process and adding the details by hand. I really enjoyed being able to take an idea and turn it into something I could actually wear and share with others. It gave me the opportunity to combine my interest in fashion, design, and hands-on creativity.

What are your post-graduation goals?

After graduation, I want to continue building my experience in the fashion and retail industry, especially in creative, brand, and consumer-focused roles. I’m also interested in gaining more experience in the entertainment and retail space and continuing to grow my skills through new opportunities.
 

What was the inspiration for your design?

My inspiration for my design was the culture of sports and athletics at the U of A. It is such a huge part of being a Wildcat, so I really wanted to showcase this in my design and represent different sports through my jacket and create the perfect game day piece.

How did you bring your design to life?

I brought my design to life by creating patches from old U of A tee shirts. Each patch was created to represent different sports like football, basketball, and baseball. Some of the patches came straight from the tee shirts; others I created from scrap fabric. 

What are your post-graduation goals?

I'm a post-grad now. I'm currently living in London getting my master's in International Luxury Business at Vogue College of Fashion in their year-long program. After I graduate, I hope to have a job working in some aspect of luxury fashion!

What was the inspiration for your design?

The name of my piece is "University of Arizona Desert Rose Battle Vest." My design is inspired by two main concepts. First, it is a vest rather than a jacket, which comes from the tradition of handmade "battle vests" worn by folks in Hip Hop, Punk Rock, and Biker subcultures. It is also inspired by the Hip Hop & African American aesthetic principle of making something from nothing, wherein the maker turns materials that others have discarded into something new and beautiful. In more explicit design terms, it means that the vest is made nearly exclusively from recycled materials.

How did you bring your design to life?

My vest was made start-to-finish in the FITS Sewing Lab in McClelland Park 415. To construct it, I used one of the industrial sewing machines and did many hours of hand embroidery for the multicolor accents on the edges. The floral motifs were printed with a vintage, hand-carved woodblock purchased for $3 at the African Arts Village during the 2026 Tucson Gem Show. All in all, the vest includes materials harvested from a vintage U of A tee shirt, a recycled game-worn U of A football jersey from the 1990s, recycled bandana themed oven mitts, a recycled game-worn U of A volleyball jersey, fabric scraps from a discarded tablecloth, and repurposed embroidery floss that was donated to FITS.

What are your career goals looking forward?

My dream is to continue working as a university faculty while I develop and expand my own sustainable fashion and jewelry label. Over the past year, auditing and helping to teach classes in FITS has grown my knowledge of apparel production and fashion collaboration tremendously, and I want to thank FITS Professor Elizabeth Heuisler for being such a generous colleague and mentor. Although my formal studies at Eller have just begun, I have learned and grown significantly already. I'd also like to thank Dr. Praise Zenenga for supporting me and understanding the value of interdisciplinary collaboration.