Designer Profile 2022: Matthew Sumera
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of interviewing Matthew, who has been involved with MODA Blog since first year and joined the Designer Bootcamp last year — if you want to know anything about MODA, he is your best bet — and he is one of the incoming EICs of the Blog! This is his second year designing, and I was curious to find out what he has in store for this year’s grand in-person show. Spoiler: there will be chains, and mesh, and something inspired by Troye Sivan’s MET Gala dress.
As of today, how far along are you in the design process?
In my art process across all medias, I tend to work in extreme time spurts. Usually, I would’ve started a week before just instinctually. However, I have learned my lesson from last year. As of right now, I am almost done for the most part, but I keep making changes— thank god I started earlier than last year.
Mood Board
What is your challenge this year?
My biggest physical challenges with designing this collection would definitely be the material I am using and forcing myself to start early. I decided to use mesh again this year. While, the fabric itself is forgiving on the model, it is definitely a pain to work with. I am also attempting to make my own form of chain-like material to use this year which is proving to have more issues than I thought it would have lol. I also struggle with the fact I keep having the urge to change my designs constantly (which I have done countless times already).However, an overall challenge for me lately, beyond designing, is trying reinvent myself or just trying to regain my individuality. I don’t know why this problem has surfaced (I think I blame the oversaturation of social media in the fashion department that has given people the idea they have a fashion sense), but it has entered my designs. It is hard to create or do something that hasn’t been done before, and I struggle with that notion a lot.
What inspires you?
When it comes to clothes, I never truly know where my inspiration comes from. For this collection at least, I am trying to elevate my designed form last year—a redemption arc one could say. So, the Bratz and like club culture have been the biggest influences (that and Troye Sivan’s MET Gala dress). In reality, I am just designing stuff I dream of wearing and can’t find easily. Other than that, inspiration usually comes from my subconscious, stirred from a memory that I have no recollection of. I will say Julia Fox is killing the game right now.
What doesn’t inspire you?
Anything on social media these days. There were some definite holy grails and collections presented during fashion weeks and stuff this year that were amazing, but for the most part everything is becoming more and more homogenous. Especially with the rise of TikTok, it’s hard to find anything new or anyone who isn’t copying someone else (especially on campus). This has definitely led me to find inspiration more inwardly than outwardly.
Initial Design Ideas
How has your design philosophy changed since last year?
I take the same philopshy into my designs as I do with all my other art. I have to have it perfect, or as close as I can get to it. With one fashion show under my belt already, I think my philosophy has stayed the same. I always just try to design things I would want to wear and that I truly love.
What are you looking forward to the most about this year’s fashion show?
Honestly, just being done. Something about the spring time makes everything chaotic, so I am excited to have this off my plate for a little while.
What kind of person would embody your designs?
Not much has changed on this since last year in this regard. When I imagine the person who would wear my clothes, I am immediately taken to a club filled with euphoria and glitter. The room is filled with people with one goal— to have the best time of their lives and the best outfit in the room. Overall, I want to design for those who look fear in the eyes and run to it. Those who are not afraid of getting stared at (or even those who enjoy it). The ones that truly flirt with danger. Just like you know the cool girls of the world.
Do you see yourself designing after college?
I am not entirely sure what the timeline after college looks like for me in the future. I plan on going into fashion and media in some form, so I do see that for myself at some point. I think I will always love it, but who knows what I’ll end up doing. It’s something I definitely don’t want leave here in my time at the College.
all images provided by Matthew Sumera
