Designer Profile 2025: Raquel Buriani

What year are you?

“2025”

What is your major(s)? minor(s)?

“3+1 student, major in Psychology, minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies, MA in the Humanities, Cinema and Media Studies Option”

In around two sentences, summarize the major inspiration or influences on your designs.

“My inspiration for this collection was serial queen melodramas from early 20th century silent films. During a time before costume designers, serial queens brought in their own fashion designers and paired up with them to cross-promote their serial, so it blurred the line between on-stage and off-stage through their fashion. “

What are the major themes of your designs? Is there anything particular that you are trying to convey?

“I am trying to bring to light the fascinating history of early cinema and how women led it was. Serial queens were leading figures in cinema for the short ten years when it was popular from 1910 to 1920, then soon after full length movies became all the rage. I am just trying to tell the story of Pearl White, a comedienne who led an impressive life and was a part of The Perils of Pauline (1914), one of the earliest and well-known serials. The Perils of Pauline was a master class for marketing for those that came after it. It created media tie-ins, early cross-promoting of products and goods. Serials encouraged women to buy or make the designs they saw on screen which really encouraged women to costume their way into more empowered futures.”

Anything else you would like to share? about the process, materials, or unexpected changes?

“Both looks are made from secondhand textiles and notions from the Wasteshed in Chicago.”