portfolio — amanda germolec

‘Multipurpose Weaving’

2006
This was made while taking
Woven Structure Basics at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
This piece was inspired by my neighbors I grew up by and were friends with for many years.
I always have great memories of them.
They were Indian and I remember going to their house and Bollywood Shows would be on.
I was always inspired by the bright and bold colors I was always surrounded with!
This was made up of all different types of yarns and threads provided by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

‘Why me & not you’

2006
This was made while taking
Woven Structure Basics at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
I was inspired to push myself and make something that would make people think.
I like making things that are multi-faceted.
I wove white string with a silver metallic to create a subtle sheen/sparkle.
I hand drew and cut out leather letters and also applied vintage crystals & findings.

‘Hand Sculpted Straw Cocktail Hat’

2008
Photos by: Danny Hsu
This was made while taking
Advanced Headwear Concepts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
I had to ‘wet sculpt’ a straw hood and this I was I shaped.
This hat can be worn in many different ways.
My work was featured on the cover of the 2008 Raymond Hudd Millinery fundraising mailer.
I used straw, thread, wire and elastic.

‘Garfield Park Conservatory Hat
& Leather Neckpiece’

2008
This made while taking Advanced Headwear Concepts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
We were to design a hat for a benefit that was going to take place at The Garfield Park Conservatory.
After our research, I designed this hat and did not want to use ‘normal’ colors that plants and flowers normally are.
I wanted to portray flowers and plants that were cohesive together, but that were also created out of unusual materials and colors.
I pushed the envelope for myself by creating a hat that had to balance on top of the head, like a ‘Show Girl’ hat.
I felt that elastic would detract from the design.
I also created a leather neckpiece that went with the look.
I used wool, straw, leather, denim, wire, thread, ribbon, Swarovski crystals, vintage crystals and findings, denim, ribbon, spray paint and glue.

‘Muslin Draping’

2017
This was made while taking
Multi-Level Draping at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
This was my first experience of draping freestyle on a mannequin with muslin.
I had a blast & loved this design!

‘Longines Custom Hat’

2017
This hat was custom made to match a look and to be worn for the 2017 Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest.
This is hand sewn.
I used wool, straw, material, interfacing, elastic, faux pearls and thread.

‘Collection 2017’2017These were designed when I applied to Fashion Core at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. — ‘Collection 2017’
2017
These were designed when I applied to Fashion Core at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

‘Strong, Intelligent & Beautiful:
Her name is Chubin!’

2017

Photo by: James Prinz
This was made while taking
Masks and Mantles at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
We had to partner up with someone in class, they had to answer a questionnaire and we had to get to know them.
My partner was Chubin.
Some of the answers to her questions had to do with:
Ironman, T-Rex, chameleons, Viktor&Rolf & some other personal things.
I incorporated as many aspects of her as I could to create her in ‘another form.’
There is also embroidery and a special note I wrote to her on the inside of the mask.
My work was chosen to be featured in the Exhibition Guide for SAIC Fashion 2018.
I used wool, tulle, thread, embroidery floss, elastic, buttons, spray paint and paint.

‘I CAN DO THIS’

2017
This was made while taking
3D Embellishment at the School of the Art Insitute of Chicago.
I like to create things that are multi-faceted and I decided to make this piece not only for myself, but for any other person that needs some beautiful motivation!
Self motivation is key!
I was going through a rough time in my life and I decided that I didn’t want to make a ‘wearable’ fashion piece.
Then, i thought...
‘how ironic’...
this is such a tedious project...
and yes I CAN DO THIS!
This is a fully embellished canvas.
My work was featured in the SAIC Fashion 2018 Trailer published on Facebook and YouTube.
It also was chosen to be a part of the SAIC Fashion 2018 Body-Builder Exhibition.
A Swarovski Workroom Partnership:
The materials were partially funded by Swarovski.
I used leather, velvet, Swarovski Crystals and beads, bugle and seed beads, ostrich feathers, thread and glue.

‘I CAN DO THIS’ Video

‘GROTESQUE’ Video

2017

This was made while taking
Masks and Mantles at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
We were given a category and had to create a ‘look’ based upon our character. My category was ‘GROTESQUE.’
We then had to do a short performance as well.
My work was chosen to be a part of the SAIC Fashion 2018 Body-Builder Exhibition.
My work was also chosen to be worn at SATANIC PANIC.
I was asked to wear it, dress the part and blend into the environment.
I used wool, leather, leather scraps, leather cording, decorative rope, fur scraps, Swarovski crystals, crystals, chains. jump rings, faux pearls, bugle and seed beads, beads, silver leaf, velvet, knit gloves, elastic, foam, wire, thread and glue.