Rashante S. Lee

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Apparel Construction

When I received the request to create this customized elegant jacket, I was excited about this creative challenge because this design has various elements, such as the royal blue satin fabric, rhinestones, pearl and gold tassels. In addition, this elegant jacket hugs the body like a glove to compliment your figure. This garment was featured in the Miss Tennessee State University Pageant in a creative scene for a contestant who recently won the title of Miss TSU. The 901 on the back is representative of her hometown Memphis, TN.

Blue Studded Satin Jacket

+One Sleeve Printed

Dress

Soft spoken, with an edge. This one sleeved printed dress that hugs your curves, contains ruching in the back from the waist down to easily expand for a comfortable fit. In addition, soft ruffling flowers, created in the same fabric, also, trimmed in silver pearls and rhinestones. (Accessorized with a leather belt or a belt of your choice.)

African CostumesFor the Spring 2008 Miss TSU pageant, one of the contestants wanted to go for an African inspired theme to tie in with her African name “Ashanti”. She requested that her costume look regal and have the comfort to dance and move around freely. I created a spandex one-piece body suit for easy access with a puff shoulder. For the bottom skirt, I created a tutu with an elastic band constructed with peacock feathers to give it a rich unique look.

For the headpiece, I used leaves and feathers to give it a tribal look , pearls because they are symbolic of her sorority, and jewels to create a royal looking crown.

Pink DressMany people tend to stay away from bright or bold colored fabrics with fear that they may receive too strong of criticism when wearing it. With innovators and fashion icons, it’s the complete opposite. In this particular instance, immediately when I saw this hot pink fabric, with images of models on the runway printed on it, it stood out and I felt compelled to create a design that will enhance, as well as compliment the fabric. I decided to drape a simple strapless dress with a cascading piece on the bust because I wanted the image on the fabric to speak for itself.

Animal Print DressThis dress was created in fulfillment of a Spring 2007 course Principles of Apparel Construction. The project was to create a dress using my measurements from a Simplicity garment pattern. I used a light textured, white animal print fabric because it flowed so well with the design and had a refreshing spring look.

I TSU dressThis design was created for the Tennessee State University 2009 Homecoming Fashion Show. The concept of the design derived from a typical casual 3XL blue screen printed T-Shirt. I took the shirt, cut it from a crew-neck into a one shoulder neckline, altered the the size to fit the model, then added an animal print fabric and tulle fabric to the shoulder and to the bottom to a flare and volume.

Original Shirt

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Brown DressWhen I first spotted this fabric in Spring 2008, I was immediately compelled to construct a dress that could be dressed up or dressed down.

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Miss Big & Beautiful Pageant GownThis dress was created for a contestant in a Miss Big & Beautiful Pageant hosted by the Men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. The concept of the design came from identifying the plus sized model’s best attributes and accentuating them. I constructed a gown that was short in the front to show off her legs and long in the back to still be elegant. The corset-like bodice includes thick interfacing to taper in the stomach area to create more of an hourglass figure.

Spring 2008

Fuchsia Evening Gown This gown was created for a church fundraising event called a “State Rally”. The model had the state of Hawaii to represent so she chose a fuchsia silky-solid blend fabric to correlate with the state. The neckline is a criss-cross -neck, and for the bodice I used a ruching technique with elastic to create a gathered look to put less emphasis on the tummy area.

Blue & Grey BlouseThis blouse was created in fulfillment of a fashion course Principles of Apparel Construction in Spring 2007. The project was to create a top using my own measurements from a pattern. I chose to use a V-neck Simplicity pattern. I used a two-tones blue and grey fabric because it was light and could be worn year round with comfort, and also the grey fabric because it coordinated well with the other fabric chosen.

Embroidery

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I embroidered and constructed these sashes for a pageant held by the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. The colors purple and gold were used because the represent the colors of the organization. I used a taffeta fabric because it was thick enough to embroider yet silky enough to look elegant.

Embroidery

Sketches &

Illustrations

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Rolled Neck Top

The purpose of this drawing was to create an illustration using a rolled neck top and a high-waist skirt. It was sketched in fulfillment of a Fashion Illustration course required for gradation. I used the colors green and blue because I was able to render the plaid well.

Bow-NeckThe purpose of this drawing was to create an illustration using a bow neck top, with puff sleeves, and jeans. It was sketched in fulfillment of a Fashion Illustration course required for gradation. I used the colors yellow to show rendering and dark blue because it’s the typical color of denim jeans.

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Men Custom Suits

This sketch was created for a customer at my summer internship, Rhodes Clothiers of Nashville. He wanted a single-breasted, two-button suit with a notched collar, shoulder straps, one slit pocket on the left side, one pocket square pocket on the right side.

This sketch was created for Marvin Rhodes, the owner of the company where I conducted my summer internship. He wanted me to create a suit that was going to be the store’s signature look, which was a six-button, double-breasted suit with a peaked-collar.

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Men Ties&

Handkerchief Sets

Orange Tie & Handkerchief

I constructed this tie and handkerchief set from a McCalls tie pattern using three different types of upholstery fabrics. I had to strategically position the fabrics in a way that they would all show nicely in the shape that the pattern required for me to use.

Summer 2008

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I flew back home to NY to coordinate a special request for the men in the wedding party. I constructed from a McCalls pattern these tie and handkerchief sets for the groomsmen of a wedding. They chose the color turquoise because they needed to match it with the turquoise gowns of the bridesmaids.

Summer 2008

Groomsmen

Thank you for considering me for your available position. I look forward to

meeting with you soon!

Sincerely,

Rashante S. Lee

(585) 269-1442Rashantelee@yahoo.com

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The End

“I can do whatever, achieve the impossible, and design the unthinkable! I have so much more in store, with an abundance of creative and innovative ideas. Believe in me and what I have to

offer, and I promise that you will NOT regret it!”Peace be with you

-Rashante S. Lee