What's your process for designing a new collection?
I usually start by drawing from my own emotions and observing how people around me move through the world—their habits, their interactions, the little things that reveal who they are. From there, I dive into secondary research, reading about my topic or theme from multiple angles. That’s followed by a lot of primary research, which is where things really open up: painting, drawing, fabric manipulation, draping, material play—just experimenting with new techniques and seeing where they take me.
Once I’ve explored a few directions, I start draping on my fit model, then sketch out rough ideas based on what feels promising. I build toiles, fit them on the body, make changes, and repeat. My initial sketches rarely look like the final garment—they’re more like emotional blueprints. After each fitting, I print out the fitting photos and draw over them to mark up edits, rethink proportions, or adjust the shape. It’s a very hands-on and fluid process—I let the work evolve naturally as I go.
What advice would you give to someone interested in fashion design?
Don’t follow trends—follow yourself. It’s easy to feel pressure to fit into certain aesthetics or ideas, but in this industry, people can tell when you’re trying to be something you’re not. The most important thing is to stay true to your voice and be confident in your work.
Fashion is an emotional industry, and it’s normal to compare yourself to others or feel like someone else is doing it “better.” But that doesn’t mean your work is any less valid. Stay focused, trust your process, and believe in what you’re creating. That authenticity will always shine through.
How do you choose colors for your designs?
I usually choose colors based on specific aspects of the theme I’m exploring. For example, in my last two collections, the color palettes were pulled directly from my own EEG scans—translating emotional and neurological data into visual form. I'm really interested in the idea that something can look bright and joyful on the surface, but have a deeper or more complicated meaning underneath.
Because mental health is often viewed as a heavy or somber subject, I like to challenge that by using playful, happy colors. My work aims to show that emotional depth doesn’t always have to feel dark—it can be vibrant, layered, and even fun.
What's your favorite type of clothing to design?
My favorite type of clothing to design is clothing that means something to someone. For me, that’s usually my editorial work—those pieces allow me to push creative boundaries and treat clothing as a form of wearable art. It’s where I feel the most free to express emotions, ideas, and internal experiences through shape, texture, and form.
Designing gives me a voice, and I want that voice to be loud, unapologetic, and deeply expressive.
What's next for you in your fashion design career?
I recently went full-time with my brand, so what’s next is bringing that energy into my upcoming collections. I'm currently working on my Spring/Summer 2026 collection, where I’ll continue exploring fun, sculptural shapes—keeping my inflatable garments alive while also experimenting with new ways to create those soft, bubbly forms.
At the same time, I’m launching my ready-to-wear collection for SS25, which is a huge step for me. I’m focused on getting production going for my winter pieces and continuing to grow Tabbe Designs into something even more expressive, emotional, and inclusive.
