How color impacted my first collection.
And how color shaped my senior collection, The Heights at Dawn
Color preference is far from random. The colors we’re drawn to are shaped by a mix of social learning, biology, and emotional experience—each quietly influencing how we perceive and respond to the world around us.
From an early age, many of us begin associating certain colors with gender. As children grow, they learn what colors are socially “assigned” to them, and those lessons often stick. Over time, these associations shape comfort, identity, and belonging, making certain colors feel more natural or affirming than others.
At the same time, our attraction to color has deep biological roots. Humans evolved responding to color as a survival cue—darker hues signaling rest or caution, brighter hues signaling energy, warmth, and alertness. These instinctive reactions still influence how color affects our mood and level of arousal today, even when we aren’t consciously aware of it.
Perhaps the most personal influence on color preference comes from emotional experience. We grow to love colors that are tied to positive moments, memories, and environments. Over time, those emotional connections build, turning color into a powerful emotional language rather than just a visual choice.
Color in The Heights at Dawn
In my senior collection, The Heights at Dawn, color was essential to storytelling. Dawn represents a moment of transition—between darkness and light, struggle and clarity, vulnerability and strength. I intentionally worked within a restrained, atmospheric palette to mirror that emotional shift.
Darker tones reflected the weight of uncertainty and introspection—the quiet moments before the sun rises. As the collection progressed, lighter hues and softened contrasts emerged, symbolizing growth, renewal, and emotional elevation. These color choices weren’t just aesthetic; they were emotional cues meant to guide the viewer through a journey of healing and quiet power.
Color allowed the collection to speak without words. It carried mood, memory, and meaning—reinforcing the idea that what we wear isn’t just seen, but felt. In The Heights at Dawn, color became the bridge between emotion and form, marking the beauty found in transition and the promise that comes with a new beginning.
A photo from a senior collection photoshoot. The top my model is wearing is a deep purple/violet windbreaker jacket. excerpt for story.