Shantell Reid
-------------
### Buffalo State University: How did you become involved with the WNY Women’s Foundation and this event?
Shantell Reid: This is my first time learning about this organization. After gaining a deeper understanding of its mission and values, I feel truly honored to have been invited to showcase my garments at the show.
Kaylee Starkweather: I became involved with through the opportunity to showcase my designs from Buffalo State’s RUNWAY fashion show this past April. Being able to share my work again in a new setting is exciting.
### BSU: Tell us about the inspiration behind your collection.
SR: This collection of paper garments was inspired by my trip to Ghana, where I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of textile waste accumulating along beaches and in waterways. This experience prompted me to reflect on the environmental consequences of fast fashion and the excessive production, consumption, and disposal of clothing. The collection challenges conventional approaches to garment longevity by exploring the concept of limited-use apparel designed for special occasions. Through the use of paper as an alternative garment material, this work asks: Can clothing be intentionally designed for short-term wear while minimizing its environmental impact? The collection envisions garments that, depending on their material composition and treatment, may biodegrade under appropriate conditions or be repurposed into new paper products or craft materials. Ultimately, this work encourages a rethinking of fashion consumption and invites consideration of alternative approaches to garment design that prioritize material innovation, responsible use, and reduced textile waste.
KS: My collection, “Memory, Still,” is a personal tribute to my late grandmother and her experience with dementia. I wanted to create something that honored her memory while exploring the way love and connection can remain even when memories begin to fade. The collection features white, bridal-inspired dresses with soft pink floral details, representing femininity, love, and the beauty of the memories we carry with us. I wanted to turn something emotional into something beautiful that others could connect with in their own way. I hope audiences take away the idea that even when memories change or become harder to hold onto, the impact someone has on our lives never truly disappears.