In the bustling corridors of Parsons School of Design, Alice Eugene Seon crafted not just a final collection but a narrative that resonates with many, an ode to the often-unseen labors of women. Her journey through Parsons, a blend of resilience and creative rebellion, culminated in the profound “Invisible Woman” collection. This collection is a testament to her Korean-American heritage, her personal growth, and her acute awareness of the societal imbalances that women face daily.
Alice’s path was not conventional. The challenges of pursuing a degree during COVID-19 and the subsequent faculty strike her senior year taught her self-reliance. She found herself stretching beyond the curriculum, seeking skills in dresses and couture on her own, a move that eventually shaped her distinctive aesthetic. The essence of draping she adopted at Parsons became a cornerstone technique that she weaved into her final pieces.
Post-graduation, Alice faced health challenges, a stark reminder of the necessity of balance. Taking a break, she embraced healing and introspection, reinforcing the importance of pacing oneself in a career as tumultuous as fashion. Her advice to future designers is poignant: prioritize well-being, for it is the wellspring of creativity.
Her dual heritage infuses her work with a unique perspective. It allows her to draw from a broader palette of experiences, reflecting in the interplay of colors and textures in her garments. This multicultural influence is a silent yet powerful contributor to her design philosophy.
The “Invisible Woman” collection was a deeply personal project inspired by her mother’s confession of feeling unseen amidst her domestic roles. Alice delved into the physicality of household chores, understanding the intensity of the labor traditionally shouldered by women. This realization fueled the narrative of her collection, transforming it into a platform for acknowledgment and empowerment.
Her designs liberate from the utilitarian, using humor and strength to highlight the robust spirit of women. The garments are devoid of domestic functionality, instead, they symbolize the shedding of conventional housewife roles. With accessories reminiscent of cleaning tools, she makes a bold statement – women should be recognized beyond their domestic contributions.
Alice envisions a societal shift where the invisible labors of women are honored. As a designer, she utilizes her platform to challenge biases and celebrate women’s domestic contributions through her fashion statements.
The conversation about sustainability in fashion is another that Alice engages with fervently. Understanding the environmental impact of fashion waste, she advocates for responsible creation and consumption. This ethos is likely to be a pillar in her future brand, hinting at a venture that merges aesthetics with ethics.
Her Parsons thesis was more than just a garment collection; it was a conversation starter about domestic labor’s undervaluation. She harnessed the emotional power of her mother’s experiences, the movement captured in chores, and vibrant hues from cleaning tools to convey her message through fashion.
As for the future, Alice aspires to continue her education and mentor under established designers before venturing into her own brand. She envisions each collection to carry a message, championing rights, feminism, and socio-political issues. Her commitment to storytelling through design is unwavering.
One standout technique in her collection was lace patchwork, a meticulous and innovative method that added texture and depth to her designs, demonstrating her willingness to experiment and embrace happy accidents.
Creatively, Alice finds inspiration in stability and patience, underpinned by her mother’s wisdom. Her artistic process is nurtured by diverse perspectives, exemplified by her embracing her Korean-American identity, which she proudly displays in her full name – a decision reflective of her journey toward self-acceptance.
Her day-to-day life post-graduation has been a mix of rest, family, and preparation for the next steps in her career. As she straddles her life between Korea and the USA, she remains connected to her cultural roots, which continue to be a source of strength and inspiration.
Alice envisions her clothing to empower women, with a particular focus on middle-aged women who have selflessly dedicated themselves to others. She wants her garments to imbue confidence and comfort, a sentiment echoed by her admiration for Galliano’s philosophy on dressing women’s desires.
Her final words of wisdom to fellow creatives, “Be reckless enough to gamble all or nothing to follow your dreams,” reflect her bold approach to life and design, a mantra that has seen her through the intensity of Parsons and into the pulsing heart of the fashion world.
As Alice Eugene Seon stands on the precipice of her career, her narrative-driven, socially conscious collections are a beacon for change, not just in fashion, but in the very fabric of societal norms.
To see more of her work, visit her instagram here.
