THEME PARTIES & HOLIDAYS
I have always told my friends that if they want to guarantee that I’ll join them on a night out, they need to invite me to a theme party.
I love theme parties and events so much because it's a creative challenge for me . I love taking second-hand finds and turning them into something special. This section captures that journey, from the big ideas to the intricate details of each outfit I've crafted. The excitement of figuring out a theme, matching makeup and hairstyles, and even altering my look to fit perfectly, is what I thrive on.
I admire my own enthusiasm for committing fully to each opportunity, whether it means cutting bangs, dying my hair, or cutting up a cherished item in my closet; it's all part of the fun for me. I enjoy the whole creative process, especially taking and editing photos to capture the essence of each look. Showcasing these photos is about highlighting the importance of paying attention to the little things that might not be immediately noticeable but are crucial to bringing the whole vision together. This dedication to detail is a significant part of who I am, reflecting the effort I put into every aspect of my life and making each small project a true expression of my identity.
ROARING 20TH
BIRTHDAY PARTY
For my 20th birthday, I hosted a "Roaring 20s" party, drawing inspiration from the 1920s era and "The Great Gatsby" movie. My roommates and I adorned the house with black and gold decorations, speakeasy, and prohibition signs. We added a modern twist by playing swing renditions of popular club songs. It was memorable not just because it was fun but because we found remnants of feathers from everyone's boas scattered throughout our house and across Wolfville for the next 6 months.
Acadia Business Society
APRÉS SKI EVENT
Inspired by the 2023 Skims Holiday Campaign
VALENTINES DAY
PARTY
For Valentine's day in 2022, my roommates and I chose to throw a fun Valentine's Day party at our house. We decorated the house with balloons, decorations, heart cut outs, desserts and used wrapping paper as a backdrop for photos. To enhance the ambiance, I even painted the light bulbs red with acrylic paint. I created a black dress with a heart corset.
I was inspired by Fran Fine's iconic style in "The Nanny"—specifically her black dress that she paired with a vintage Moschino heart purse. I designed it with a sweetheart neckline to mimic the shape of a heart and painted a pair of black leather boots with a red heart pattern to match.
ST. PADDYS DAY
For Saint Patrick's Day in 2022, my then-roommate Lauren, worked as the Blue Lobster Student Brand Representative for Acadia University through Nova Scotia Spirit Co. With the holiday being a prime time for her to hand out drinks and represent the brand, I created outfits to ensure we'd stand out. I dyed some old white jeans we owned & painted designs on the tops, replicating the N.S. Spirit Co. logo but with a twist where I replaced the waves in the middle of the logo with a shamrock.
Another year, I decided to celebrate just the day before Saint Patrick’s Day. In a burst of last-minute creativity, I dyed an old pair of ill-fitting jeans with a mixture of water, acrylic paint, and fabric softener to achieve a rainbow effect. I then added designs of Lucky Charms marshmallows and the leprechaun mascot, along with lettering that read “Lucky A.F.” in a western font. The back pockets were painted gold and sprinkled with gold glitter. Despite the pants being barely dry and somewhat stiff from the paint by the time I wore them out, I considered it a success, especially given the rush.
Y2K Parties
A play on the iconic pop culture moment from the early 2000’s—a meme stemming from Paris Hilton's misinterpreted "Stop Being Poor" shirt.
80’S PROM
21st Birthday
REDNECK FANCY
As a huge country music enthusiast, I aimed to move beyond the typical western party— a commonplace at university bars—and instead, host a redneck/ southern themed party.
This concept borrows from Southern American lifestyles, emphasising elements such as country music and a relaxed dress code featuring denim, plaid, and those outrageous graphic T-shirts you spot at thrift stores that make you wonder, "Who would ever wear that out in public”?
Christmas 2023
This Christmas, I set out to design my own dress for my family's annual Christmas Eve celebration. Although I have a preference for the original cartoon Grinch movie, this year I found myself inspired by Martha May Whovier's fashion choices in the Jim Carrey version. I was drawn to the vibrant colours, fabrics and designs associated with Christmas. I brainstormed several ideas, considering materials like a tree skirt, oversized Christmas bows, tinsel, wrapping paper, lights, and more.
Ultimately, I decided on a Christmas tree dress made from tinsel and adorned with red and gold ornaments. This choice was influenced by the similarity in the silhouette of a tree to that of a dress, sparking even more ideas for next year. To complete the look, I added a hair clip adorned with tinsel and Christmas bells, paired with red tights and a pair of green slingback heels I thrifted.
Denim on Denim
When I got the invitation to a denim on denim party, I got to work on an old pair of jeans that didn’t fit right, turning them into a fun denim top. I used the back pockets for the bust area and the Levi's logo for the centre, aiming to use as much of the jeans as possible. I even turned the jean buttons into earrings and the waistband, along with the front button, into a distressed choker, which I coincidentally forgot to wear for photos.
NEW YEARS EVE
I wanted to highlight New Year’s Eve, because the silver dress below was the first ever dress that I made back in 2019. I was inspired by Paris Hilton’s iconic 21st birthday dress, and I hand stitched together my best attempt at a replica with cheap glitter fabric I ordered online.
“Judging your early artistic efforts is artist abuse”- Julia Cameron
COUNTRY CONCERTS
SUMMER 2023
For the first outfit in this gallery, I transformed a thrifted crochet bathing suit cover-up by dyeing it and adding details under the bust. I used needle-nosed pliers to attach turquoise and western-themed charms, including longhorn motifs. To ensure these details were unmissed, I crafted a matching choker embellished with the same charms. The ensemble was completed with a fringe belt featuring turquoise embellishments and matching western-inspired turquoise, silver, and black cross earrings. A pair of black leather boots with silver accents and braided front hair pieces secured with turquoise elastics complemented the look, along with turquoise eyeliner, a turquoise bolo tie and a black hat to bring everything together.
My other outfits also share a common theme, brought to life with pieces and accessories I’ve collected over many years. As an enthusiast of vintage Western wear, I've gathered a wide collection of second-hand western accessories, including belts, buckles, boots, bolo ties, hats, and more.
