A team of Appalachian State University interior design students and faculty competed for their first time in the annual Fashion Bash, held in Charlotte on September 17.
Sponsored by the professional interior design community alongside interior materials and finishes companies, the App State team was challenged with choosing a piece of art as inspiration. In June, the team selected Yayoi Kusama’s art installation, The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe (2019/2024).
The team received donations of interior materials and finishes from Fashion Bash sponsors and was challenged to create a garment for a mannequin out of those materials and finishes. Ms. Kusama’s work was black and yellow, which also branded the design for App State's entry. There were fifteen entries in the competition, and App State was the only student team and university competing against industry professionals, ultimately receiving a 5th Place Honorable Mention.
While professional firms had all summer to create their entries, the App State team began work on August 17 when the fall semester resumed. The team brainstormed and created sketches of their design, going through numerous iterations to arrive at the final concept. They then organized and fabricated the design to meet the September 16 deadline for judging. The full garment ensemble included a kimono-style top, skirt, pants, belt, shoes, a purse, and a fan.
The design draws from the installation’s tapered forms and bold use of polka dots in varying sizes. The silhouette features a bell-shaped peplum inspired by Paul Poiret’s dresses of the early 1900s, reinterpreted with a contemporary aesthetic. Black and yellow create a dramatic visual contrast while reinforcing the overall branding. The ensemble’s kimono-style top references Kusama’s Japanese heritage, while the silhouette and patterns reinterpret elements of her iconic artistic style.
During the creation of the garment, the team learned that Ms. Kusama had passed away. To honor her memory, they focused intently on their creation and wore red wigs to the event, mirroring Ms. Kusama’s signature red bobbed hair.
"Being part of Fashion Bash was such a meaningful experience for me because it gave me the opportunity to step outside of the typical interior design studio and think about materials and creativity in a completely different way," said Kelly Velasquez, an Interior Design junior. "I loved seeing how something as simple as interior design materials could be transformed into something wearable and expressive. Working with my team also made the experience really special, and I enjoyed seeing how everyone brought their own ideas and creativity to the event. It reminded me how much I enjoy creating things by hand and collaborating with others, and I’m really grateful I got to be part of it this year."
The App State presence stood out throughout the evening, offering substantial professional networking opportunities and a chance to connect with alumni competing across various industry teams.
"Working with my cohort in a realm that isn't solely based on interior design was a thrilling adventure!" said Claudia Romainville, an Interior Design senior. "Coordinating when and where we could work while being full-time students and/or professors was a challenge in itself; we worked long nights but had the pleasure of talking to people we don't see day to day, and for that I can not complain. I had a great time networking and seeing all of the impressive works from the firms at the Fashion Bash. The event was a success for the interior design program and App State itself. I believe Yayoi Kusama, our artist and inspiration, would have been proud to see our mini infinity of dots."
The creation was truly a team effort, led by Jeanne Mercer-Ballard, Interior Design Program Director; Martha Marking, Professor in Theatre and Dance; Lasya Silpa, Assistant Professor of Foundations in Applied Design; and Jacki McGuire, Project Manager with Facilities and Planning. Rose Shandra, President of the student IIDA (International Interior Design Association), led the student effort.
*photos provided by Fashion Bash event
About the Department of Applied Design
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research, and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor's degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design, and interior design.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has nearly 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
2026 Fashion Bash thumbnail
2026 Fashion Bash thumbnail