Natalie Arndt
Hometown: Ballston Spa, NY
Email: nrarndt@ncsu.edu & rainecreates@gmail.com
Bio
Natalie grew up in a small town in upstate New York, where she developed an early interest in fashion, creativity, and making things with her own hands. Natalie first remembers sewing at about eight years old, sitting next to her grandma in her sewing room as she taught her a basic straight stitch. Now, at twenty-one, Natalie has sewn ever since, thinking of her grandma every time she picks up a needle.
When she was ten, her family moved to North Carolina, and although she will always consider herself a New Yorker, North Carolina eventually became home. Natalie has always aspired to be a designer, but for a long time, she struggled with the idea that it was an unrealistic dream. She was torn; she loved fashion, but she never imagined she could build a career from it. That began to change when Natalie found NC State. The Wilson College of Textiles gave her the opportunity to turn something she once thought was unrealistic into something tangible, a goal she could pursue and achieve. During her time at NC State, she grew as a designer, experimented with her creativity, and developed a clearer sense of the designer she wants to become. What started as a simple stitch in her grandma’s sewing room has grown into something Natalie cannot imagine her life without.
Collection Concept
Out of Control explores the complexities of control and the chaos it causes in it’s absence. It focuses on four prominent emotions that emerge when control is lost: Anger, fear, sadness, and acceptance. The collection explores vulnerability and color to convey the emotions with greater depth. Out of Control aims to transform an internal experience into an artistic expression the viewer can understand visually and emotionally. Key features include contrasting colors and silhouettes that emphasize the fluidity of control. Textures clash through rigid fabrics such as canvas and denim, while chiffon adds softness. Out of Controllets the viewer not only see the designs but feel them, making them relatable and easier to connect with.