About Me
Sydney Townsend focuses on lingerie, swimwear, and print design.
Sydney grew up in NJ where she developed a fondness for contemporary swimwear and lingerie/loungewear design and a focus on print and sustainable design. She designs with understanding of how the consumers will feel with fit, comfort, and aesthetic to give them the confidence they need to take on the day.
My passion is to develop fair trade swimwear and lingerie for all people regardless of shape, size, gender and sexual orientation. I want a world with open dialogue about taboo topics. My BFA thesis collection is just the beginning of how I express myself and my goals as a designer. My passion for design in the niche markets of lingerie and swimwear stems from my attention to detail and love for uplifting women to be confident in themselves and their bodies.
INSPIRATION
I am inspired by experiences; invisibility was inspired by my bisexuality and the stereotypes.
Invisibility is a lingerie collection inspired by bi-erasure; when one believes that bisexuals do not exist. The collection utilizes asymmetric designs, unusual cut lines, intricate embroidery, unique strap usage, and print design. The feeling of being in between the gay and straight world reminded me of Venn diagrams, which inspired my ideas into circles. The feeling of invisibility caused by bi-erasure inspired the silhouettes; the print and detail inspiration is taken from overlapping circles.
In all of the designs, they will challenge traditional lingerie construction and preconceived societal notions, utilizing asymmetry and curvilinear seam lines. The embroidery expresses how some of the stereotypes are directly "written" on the garments through embroidery and images from these stereotypes' inspiration. Using bra straps in non-traditional ways also challenges the idea that lingerie is only for "perfect" female-presenting people through the male gaze.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Bra & undies features straps and printed mesh
Open side printed dress with straps and embroidery
Bodysuit & gloves feature straps and printed mesh
Printed robe with strap & shawl with embroidery
Printed slip & gloves with rouching and embroidery
Printed fleece garter tank with embroidery
Printed mesh top & fleece shorts with embroidery
Asymmetric strap bra and undies with embroidery
Print jacket, tights, and garter with embroidery
Print mesh sweatpants with embroidery
Embroidered crop tank and thong with straps
Print mesh glove top and gathered side briefs
Embroidered underwire bra & print top with straps
Printed fleece brief with side rouching
Seekeks, print heavy swimwear collection
Print and accessory designs inspired by sandollars
Flat reversible lineup with print/color options
Embroidery heavy lingerie capsule inspired by skin
Melanin flat lay lineup and color-way options
DETAIL
I experimented with print design, non-traditional lingerie fabrics, straps, and embroidery usage.
All of Sydney's work goes stems from attention to detail and understanding the target market’s needs. Sydney likes to take traditional concepts and come up with surface design and print ideas to elevate staple garments. She loves the idea of minimalistic design with maximal elements. Going forward, Sydney is looking for opportunities in lingerie, swimwear or lounger design in New York. Sydney's designs were showcased in the Kent State Fashion School's Portfolio Showcase Magazine, Kent State’s Annual Fashion Show, the AVANT show, and a nominee for CFDA. She has studied abroad in Florence, Italy and NYC where she has interned at Jussara Lee, Natori, and Saylor NYC. Emerging into the fashion industry, Sydney wants to see the industry react to political, social, and environmental change.
Understanding the confusing process of bisexuality meant I could overturn societal pressure, truly recognize what I want versus what society wants, and strengthen my design process into my passion.
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