Naomi Oakley

Designer: Naomi Oakley

Hometown: Farmville, North Carolina

Email: nroakley@ncsu.edu

Collection Title: Betrothed Butterflies

Bio

Naomi Oakley is a senior majoring in Fashion Textile Management with a concentration in Fashion Development and Product Management. She is also pursuing a minor in Forensic Science. Naomi got her love of sewing from her mother and was taught to sew when she was eleven years old. Growing up Naomi played with Barbies, played countless fashion design video games, and watched shows like “That’s So Raven” and “Say Yes to the Dress.” Which heavily influenced her to pursue a fashion related degree. After her high school toured NC State, she realized that was possible through the Wilson College of Textiles.

Collection Concept

Naomi’s bridal collection is for plus-size and mid-size brides looking for elegant wedding garments. Brides that want looks that can move from the ceremony to the reception, perfect for a black-tie wedding. Naomi’s collection is about saying “goodbye” to your single life and breaking out of your “chrysalis” into your new married life. She wanted to make wedding garments that feature the contrast of black and white which are either funeral or bridal colors in different cultures. Naomi named this collection “Betrothed Butterflies” because of her use of the butterfly motif. Butterflies are often used to symbolize rebirth and new beginnings which a wedding ceremony features a new life with a spouse. Specifically black butterflies mean hope, regrowth, and potential. Butterflies are known for having short life cycles much like how a wedding ceremony is only a short but cherished part of a healthy lasting marriage. Butterflies are also used to portray nervous energy but also excitement which is what Naomi imagines many engaged people feel.