Fabiola Soavelo
MFaFDS - Fashion Design and Society
Parsons School of Design
Specialisms: Apparel / Womenswear / Accessories
Location: New York, United States
Fabiola Soavelo
First Name: Fabiola
Last Name: Soavelo
Specialisms: Apparel / Womenswear / Accessories
Sectors:
My Location: New York, United States
University / College: Parsons School of Design
Course / Program Title: MFaFDS - Fashion Design and Society
About
Fabiola Soavelo is a multidisciplinary fashion designer, who grew up in Nosy Be, Madagascar, and relocated to Switzerland at age 10. She studied fashion at Central Saint Martins in London and then earned a merit-based scholarship for Parsons in New York. There, she honed her genuine design identity, culminating in her 'Fihavanana' collection upon completing her two-year Master's program.
Influenced by her Swiss-Malagasy background, she merges minimalism from Swiss culture with the historical and natural essence of Malagasy heritage. Science fiction guides her exploration of this duality, while her designs reflect how colonial history and African roots shape body perceptions. Her collection harmonizes deadstock leather, raffia fibers, and intricate silhouettes, interweaving identity in expansive and snug forms.
Fihavanana is a Malagasy concept that is all about togetherness, getting along, and having tight connections with others. It is like the glue that holds Malagasy society together. Through Fihavanana I explore the duality of my Swiss-Malagasy heritage by harmonizing deadstock leather, raffia fibers, and intricate silhouettes, interweaving identity in expansive and snug forms. The exploration of this duality is guided by science fiction and results in designs that reflect how colonial history and African roots shape body perceptions.
Competitions
Global Design Graduate Show 2023
The captivating Fihavanana collection finds its roots in the Malagasy concept of togetherness, echoing my dual Swiss-Malagasy heritage. It explores the duality of identity and its connection to collective memory by breathing new life into discarded leather, raffia fibers, and intricate silhouettes. This collection fearlessly challenges fashion's pursuit of perfection by celebrating the raw beauty of leather's imperfections, symbolizing life's constant evolution. Each of the five leather jackets is a testament to sustainability, crafted from deadstock materials, remnants, or scraps, each with a unique story. Raffia, a cornerstone material, holds deep cultural significance in Madagascar, where artisans hand-weave it, resulting in patterns and textures that mirror life's natural variations. Through this craft, I explore the transformative power of personal connections, nostalgia, and memories, elevating the mundane into expressions of identity. This collection seamlessly blends the artistry of Malagasy and Swiss traditions, guided by elements of science fiction. It reflects on the impact of colonial history and African roots on our perception of the body. Drawing inspiration from works like Octavia Butler's "Kindred" and Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner," it delves into the complex interplay of race, memories, and identity. The collection navigates the uncanny realm of memories, where the familiar and foreign merge, creating fresh experiences from past echoes.
Competitions
