THREADS Designer Spotlight: Leah Bahm

Leah Bahm, an apparel merchandising and design senior, originally wanted to create an all black fall line for the THREADS fashion show, but had visions of incorporating surillian blue into her collection.

“My favorite color is black,” Bahm said. “I like the idea of layering things. I am not a frilly pink spring girl.”

Her muses are stars, Carey Mulligan and Stevie Knicks. Her design influences are Marc Jacobs and Karl Lavin and her creative director and sewing partner is friend, Natalie Araujo.

Bahm will be creating five looks and describes her line as having a “mod” look with volume, simplicity and classic silhouettes. Her pieces include every thing from a dress, skirt, shorts, leggings and harem pants to create a daily look that transitions from casual to evening attire.

Bahm’s fabric was purchased at Haberman Fabrics in Royal Oak, which sells fashion fabrics from top designers and ready to wear manufacturers.

“Fabric shopping set in stone what I wanted to do,” Bahm said.

Bahm is incorporating dark colored fabrics in wool, spandex and cotton textures. Her challenge for the show is to translate her ideas to designs and to find a way to manage her time.

She purchased patterns and will use techniques learned from flat patterning class to change them to her original designs and ideas. Bahm also plans to incorporate various ruffling techniques, and draping techniques inspired by Marchesa.

Currently, she is working two jobs, one as a lab assistant in the Wightman sewing lab where she plans to do most of her work.

“I get in the zone when I am in the sewing lab,” Bahm said. “It’s just nice because everything is set up.”

Trial and error and doing everything to the best of her ability is Bahms plan to create her “separates” and send her “mod” fall collection down the THREADS 2011 runway.