Kyra Wilson

My capstone project, ‘amputations and inspirations,’ began with a longing to better understand my creative process and to mend the disconnect between garment creation and the final product. I approached this dialogue on inspirations and amputations through an auto-ethnographic framework. Reflecting on my process was a transformative, intimate, and humbling experience. I furthered my understanding on the impact of making on a personal level and the larger implications of slow fashion, natural materials, and craft practice. My collection was developed through an intuitive and responsive approach to design. I challenged the traditional approach to garment creation and instead allowed myself to explore a dynamic and curious approach to design, one not barred by efficiency or traditions. I learned which standards I need and which I can work without.  My material of choice this year was wool. Through wet, dry, and needle felt techniques, I engaged in the humbling process of taking natural and raw materials and working with them by hand into fashionable objects. Through this, I discovered my passion for millinery and craft techniques. Millinery was a central aspect of my collection, hats were made that either responded to or inspired the garments.  Patience, repetition, and trust informed how I interacted with my process.  My combination of routine, reflection, and experimentation allowed me to learn about myself as an artist while furthering my unique aesthetic.

My time at the Toronto Metropolitan University has been a period of personal and technical growth. I am extremely grateful to the professors who shared their knowledge, listened, and invested in my development. I also want to acknowledge my inspiring peers. My exposure to different approaches, techniques, and theories throughout my undergraduate degree has shaped my practice and given me the base skills to express myself as an artist. My aesthetic perspective on clothing has matured and refined. I feel I am leaving university with a passion for learning, openness to new ideas, and a professional deck of skills that have set me on the right path to reach my aspirations.