Paper Dress

In October, Portfolio Center was challenged to assemble a team of young designers to create a dress made entirely of paper. The design brief issued by sponsor Uncommon Threads called for designers to “push the properties of paper in uncommon ways…” in production of a garment that would represent a particular country of their choice and take its inspiration from that country’s customs, language, art, and culture.

The Portfolio Center team included Fernando Guerrero, Marissa Kraxberger, Alex Kurth, and Michelle Armas. Their dress was sponsored by Smart Papers and was inspired by both traditional Mexican attire and Reggaeton music from Puerto Rico. Michelle modeled the creation at the Uncommon Threads Fashion Show, a stylish formal event held at Unisource on October 27.

Portfolio Center’s dress is a symbol of multiculturalism. Together with the beautiful traditions of Mexican folk art and clothing, the designers were inspired by the driving beats of Reggaeton music. Reggaeton is alive with passion, movement, and the history of great musical traditions like reggae, hip hop, and jazz. The dress moves freely yet hugs the body for sensuous curves as a showcase for serious color and detail.