The soul of this project began as a simple idea. When President Carlson put out a campus call for ideas, Emilie Delaye, a fashion and apparel studies graduate student, suggested her department create Carlson’s gala gown. While she did not have the capacity to take on the project herself, Delaye pitched the idea to department chair Huantian Cao, who recruited Gorea and professor Katya Roelse. 

From there, the project expanded intentionally. Gorea and Roelse brainstormed ways they could build out the project to incorporate as many elements of the department as possible, from student involvement to novel technologies to the Pearson Hall Makerspace.

“It really is reflective of everything that we do,” said Roelse, who designed and created Carlson’s jacket. “We’re trying to bring in all the different things that we’re good at into one meaningful ensemble.”

Every detail of the gown was designed to tell a story. Achieving the perfect balance of blue and gold thread for the knitted dress took multiple attempts, while the racerback design and sneaker heel reflect Carlson’s sporty style.

“[The inauguration] is a big deal for me, personally, but also a big deal for the University,” Carlson said. “When there are big moments, we should celebrate them. And part of that is putting on your academic garb and getting dressed up; and having motifs that are connected to the University makes it really special.”

Turning that vision into reality required Blue Hen innovation, passion and expertise.

Casey Tyler, a graduate student in fashion and apparel studies, translated Gorea’s dress design for the University’s state-of-the-art 3D knitting machine, eliminating the need for cutting and sewing while reducing material waste. 

After some trial and error and several half-scale models, Tyler produced the perfect finished gown. Using the fabric from the half-scale models, they created a matching clutch, adorned with a blue feather.

“I’ve been having a blast with the project, and I have a high standard for how I want this to come out,” Tyler said. “It’s really exciting, and I want it to be our best quality work.”

For Gorea, the project also offered an opportunity to reshape how people think about fashion.

“People still think of fashion design as just making dresses,” she said. “We are apparel engineers. If somebody engineers a car or builds a building, we basically do the same, but with something much closer to your skin. I love educating people about what fashion is and how they shouldn't minimize it.”

Fashion can play a defining role in an event like a presidential inauguration, conveying personality, tradition and vision through intentional choices like color, symbolism and event footwear.

“It’s a reflection of the time,” Roelse said. “In 10 years, maybe everyone will be wearing sneakers to gala events. The way we’re using the technology is brand new. In the future, we can look back and see how the industry has changed or how garments have changed because of innovations that are being made today.”

Student involvement extended beyond the gala look. Julia Walton, a senior fashion design major, created a custom print for a bowtie that was to be worn by Carlson’s husband, Professor Robert West. Lily Guilbault, a senior honors fashion merchandising major, created style inspiration for other inaugural events, including a breakfast, lunch, Prez Walk and Run, and community barbecue.

“It was a great challenge for me and also a nice creative outlet,” Guilbault said. “It was something different that I haven’t done in classes. And having that real-life experience element — what I’m doing is not just submitted on Canvas, it’s actually going to show up in something that’s substantial for the University — it was a great experience, and I’m really honored and humbled that I was asked to do it.”

Roelse said these opportunities are central to the department’s approach to educating its students. 

“Students get exposure to things that maybe they don’t get to have in the classroom — to actually work on a haute couture style garment,” she said. “That’s sort of the cream of getting an education in our department — these outside projects, these extra things that you can zhuzh and add to your résumé.”

Tyler, who also earned their undergraduate degree at UD, said it’s those extra experiences that made their time at the University feel meaningful.

“I’ve been taught here that fashion is so much more than just runway, and I think that’s the part that’s made me feel confident about moving into the industry,” they said. “There’s not just one path that I can take moving on from here.”