FASHION FLOOR 7

As Layla Abudayeh works to bring her senior collection to life, this photo essay captures her journey of translating ideas into fashion. Through moments of doubt and inspiration, each image represents a step in her evolution as a designer. By highlighting both the technical and personal aspects of her process, this project aims to show how Layla’s identity as a designer grows and evolves with every challenge and breakthrough.

 

1. Mannequins sit idly by in the corner of the 7th floor of the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

1. Mannequins sit idly by in the corner of the 7th floor of the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

2. Layla Abudayeh laces up the corset that will adorn the 4th look in her senior collection, WALK EM’ DOWN.

2. Layla Abudayeh laces up the corset that will adorn the 4th look in her senior collection, WALK EM’ DOWN.

3. Layla’s senior collection is based off Heroes and Villains, Metro Boomin’s second studio album, released in 2022.

3. Layla’s senior collection is based off Heroes and Villains, Metro Boomin’s second studio album, released in 2022.

4. A tension is in the air as Layla prepares her looks in the spray booth. She is set on splatter painting to complete her looks. A technique that could make or completely break the clothes she has been working on for her entire 5th and final year of

4. A tension is in the air as Layla prepares her looks in the spray booth. She is set on splatter painting to complete her looks. A technique that could make or completely break the clothes she has been working on for her entire 5th and final year of college.

5. When Layla began spring semester of her freshman year, she started questioning being an exercise science and neuroscience major. Saying “I sat there and was like, I cannot listen to this old white dude talk about plants ever again. I’ve always bee

5. When Layla began spring semester of her freshman year, she started questioning being an exercise science and neuroscience major. Saying “I sat there and was like, I cannot listen to this old white dude talk about plants ever again. I’ve always been creative (…) this was the first time in my life where I never had it in my curriculum. I didn’t know if fashion was gonna work out, but I wanted to be uncomfortable.”

6. “I never doubted myself for a second this was the one thing I do know about myself: I am a creative person, and I am an artist, and I can’t take that away from myself”

6. “I never doubted myself for a second this was the one thing I do know about myself: I am a creative person, and I am an artist, and I can’t take that away from myself”

7. Layla in the elevator after splatter painting her senior collection. After grappling with the future of her academics, she decided to switch to Fashion Design. A Decision that would require a full extra year of college to conform to the program’s

7. Layla in the elevator after splatter painting her senior collection. After grappling with the future of her academics, she decided to switch to Fashion Design. A Decision that would require a full extra year of college to conform to the program’s requirements.

8. Fellow designers assist Layla in tightening corset strings during the senior fashion show. Models needed to walk for multiple designers, sometimes leaving only a few minutes to complete a full outfit change.

8. Fellow designers assist Layla in tightening corset strings during the senior fashion show. Models needed to walk for multiple designers, sometimes leaving only a few minutes to complete a full outfit change.

10. Mira Ledermüeller models for Layla’s 5th look UMBRELLA.

10. Mira Ledermüeller models for Layla’s 5th look UMBRELLA.

11. The final flourish, METRO SPIDER.

11. The final flourish, METRO SPIDER.

9. Final touches are put on the makeup before Layla’s senior collection photoshoot.

9. Final touches are put on the makeup before Layla’s senior collection photoshoot.

12. Double checking makeup before the shoot.

12. Double checking makeup before the shoot.

13. Layla assembles her looks for the final group picture of her senior collection. After 5 years at Syracuse University, this photoshoot marked the final requirement for her academic career.

13. Layla assembles her looks for the final group picture of her senior collection. After 5 years at Syracuse University, this photoshoot marked the final requirement for her academic career.