SCAD designer Sydney Dean uses recycled and thrifted materials.
Sydney Dean has only attended one quarter at SCAD Atlanta so far, but the up-and-coming fashion designer has already landed a major display of her work. While participating in a student design competition at 2023 Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week, an event and movement dedicated to combating textile and water waste, carbon emissions and microplastics in oceans, Dean’s sustainable creation was noticed by the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. This year, one of her dresses will go on display at the Amelia Island Welcome Center.
For the student competition, a large assortment of waste from Amelia Island beaches was handpicked and presented by ATLSFW founder Tanjuria Willis to student designers to use at their discretion to show how “the future of fashion is sustainable,” says Dean, 21. The destination was a sponsor of the fall event, as was Simply Buckhead.
“I wanted my piece to be something everyone could appreciate,” says Dean, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, who has lived in the Atlanta area most of her life. “Amelia Island wanted to present that they are a sustainable tourist attraction.”
To make the eco-friendly dress, Dean cut a hanger mannequin to create the bodice. Upcycled curtains and spare elastics were used for the skirt, and embellishments were crafted from beach toys. “You can’t tell that the embellishments were made out of buckets and other items,” she says. “Even though I didn’t win the competition, Amelia Island reached out to me directly because they loved the piece.”
A self-funded college student, Dean is working to save up for one quarter at a time so she can pursue her dream. She’s majoring in fashion design, minoring in fashion merchandising and, upon graduating, hopes to work at a fashion house— or open one of her own. Dean considers her work “maximalist” and cites French fashion designer Thierry Mugler’s designs in comparison. “Maximalist means taking things others wouldn’t think were fashionable and making them fashionable. For me, more is more. Go big or go home!”
Her multidisciplinary, eclectic style can also be seen in another notable piece she calls a “very out there, black-and-white belt corset moment.”
Dean used recycled cardboard to make the inside structure, belts thrifted from Goodwill and other thrift stores, second-hand jewelry and scrap fabric for the lining.
Dean’s personal style is all business, though. Her go-to outfit: a great pair of slacks and a well-fitting button down with lots of jewelry and heels.
Currently, the budding designer is working on five different lines, including menswear, streetwear, Y2K and couture. One of her SCAD professors is mentoring her outside of school, teaching her about cohesiveness when making a new line.
“I enjoy different esthetics. I love any and everything fashion, and want to experience it all and produce it myself,” Dean says.
She adds that this is her first magazine interview. No doubt, with her talent and drive, it won’t be her last.
@6ydneyy
