“Button Girl”

By Lara Underwood

Each fall semester, Mississippi State University hosts its highly anticipated ‘Trashion’ Fashion Show, an innovative runway show where designers showcase their garments created from repurposed materials. In previous years, designers have used trash bags, thrifted ties, etc., but this year, I decided to challenge myself by hand sewing hundreds, maybe even thousands, of buttons onto my garment.

For me, fashion is more than just creating something visually beautiful, it’s about telling a story. The inspiration for my garment came from a childhood memory of antique shopping with my grandmother. As a little girl, I often found myself unsure of what to buy at antique stores, so I would always buy a bag or jar of buttons. These buttons sparked my idea for my Trashion design as stumbled upon a jar of buttons tucked away in my closet while I was looking for inspiration. Instantly, it felt like the perfect medium for my garment.

This design process began with an old tank top that I transformed into the shape of a triangle bra. I meticulously hand sewed the buttons, ensuring that every inch of fabric was covered, leaving no space exposed. The challenge of aligning buttons of various sizes and colors was both time consuming and rewarding, as I worked to create a cohesive look. To complete the garment, I draped a waistband for a skirt and I continued to hand-sew buttons along the fabric.

Once each button was in place, I added thrifted scarves to the design, draping them along the bottom of the top and the skirt. The vibrant colors in the scarves harmonized beautifully with the buttons, bringing the entire piece together in a stunning way.

This project was a true test of patience and creativity, and it reminded me of the importance of challenging oneself in the world of fashion design. Without these challenges, we would not have the innovative designers who continue to push the boundaries of fashion. There were numerous moments throughout this process when I felt like giving up, when the sheer amount of hand-sewing seemed overwhelming, but I persisted. In the end, I created my favorite garment to date, a piece that not only tells a personal story but also celebrates sustainability and the power of perseverance.

Cambrie Rogers modeling “Button Girl”