Dreaming green: student’s sustainable sleepwear line blends matcha, natural dyes, and eco-conscious fashion
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University fashion design students are always transforming their creativity into beautiful garments for the Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association’s (MODA) annual spring fashion show. From loud and bold looks, to professional attire and suits, one line stood out this year with its laid back style brewed a vibrant green. Belonging to MODA's treasurer and fashion design student, Dagny Gulledge, the sleepwear line combined her passions for matcha tea, relaxation and sustainability into her collection, "Matcha Slumbers."
"Sleep is incredibly important. Without it, our brains can't consolidate memories, regulate emotions, or process pain. On top of this, it just feels amazing. Very few things beat the feeling of waking up well-rested to the sun peeking through the curtain," explains Gulledge. "With this in mind, I developed a color palette that reminded me of matcha tea, something I personally associate with a peaceful morning and love."
What truly sets the fashion line apart is its commitment to creative sourcing and sustainable dyeing techniques. Gulledge sourced the fabric for the garments from upcycled materials, including her own childhood bed sheets and a shower curtain, giving everyday materials a second life through fashion.
“Dyeing fabric with a natural dye like matcha required natural fibers, which is why I used cottons and silks in my line,” says Gulledge. “I essentially made a bathtub of matcha for the fabrics and soaked them overnight. To really bring out the color, I soaked the fabric with aluminum silicate and water, which is normally a baking ingredient."
Using matcha as the starting point for the line pushed Gulledge to explore creativity through natural dyes, sustainable materials and intentional design. Taking it a step further, to honor matcha’s rich history in Asian culture the collection incorporates distinct elements of Eastern fashion. The sleepwear designs feature elegant high collars, wide sleeves, and asymmetric dress openings.
"My production process involved drawing out patterns and constructing mock-ups. This was especially challenging for my asymmetric designs. In addition to sewing my garments, I also made my own eye masks and slippers. I wanted there to be unity across all my designs."
The creativity and sustainability behind “Matcha Slumbers” resonated with audiences and judges alike during the annual fashion show. At the conclusion of the event, Gulledge earned the award for Best Theme, presented by fashion faculty members Kelly Weathers and Iris Cooper. The recognition highlighted the collection’s cohesive vision, innovative use of sustainable materials and thoughtful incorporation of matcha-inspired design elements throughout the line.
“Matcha inspired the entire creative process behind my line, from color to material experimentation. Receiving an award at the end of it all was the cherry on top,” says Gulledge.
The award marked a full-circle moment for Gulledge. Just two years ago, she attended the MODA fashion show as a high school senior, inspired by the student designers presenting their collections on the runway. Now, as a sophomore fashion design student presenting her second line in the annual show during just her second year in college, Gulledge earned recognition for her own creative vision and sustainable approach to fashion design.
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