ChallengeHow do you showcase and celebrate the creative spirit of a diverse, transdisciplinary community while fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and a sense of belonging?
The Weissman Foundry, a collaborative innovation space for Babson, Olin, and Wellesley Colleges (BOW), wished to establish itself as a creative hub through the combined creative output of the ‘4th culture’ or the blending of the three institutions’ unique identities. The challenge was to craft an event that embodied this culture and engaged participants who often did not see themselves as "makers" or "creatives." This required dismantling barriers of self-doubt and redefining what it means to create.
ProcessThe "Untitled" Fashion Show concept emerged organically from an appreciation of the BOW students' incredible creativity and the fundamental cultural connections found in wearable objects.
It sought to celebrate the wearable creations that many BOW students were already designing and making. The BOW community collaboratively developed an equitable event that encouraged participants to build on their existing skills or explore new ones they were eager to learn. This initiative provided students with the time and space to learn, create, and share their ideas and processes with friends and peers. Notably, the event culminated in a public celebration of diverse self-expression, redefining what it means to be a “maker” in a safe, supportive, and creative environment.
Community Engagement: Workshops, brainstorming sessions, and open calls invited students to collaborate, contribute their unique perspectives, and push creative boundaries.
Inclusivity: "Untitled" was intentionally designed as a welcoming space for people, encouraging participants to celebrate their individuality and explore making culture.
Reframing Creativity: The show emphasized that creativity is an innate practice, visible in daily choices like curating looks and engaging in cultural crafts like sewing or knitting.
Curating Connections: The event celebrated personal expression through clothes, jewelry, and other wearable objects, linking these creative acts to the broader maker culture.
Open Participation: Calls for entries emphasized accessibility, encouraging contributions from all skill levels and disciplines.
Solution“Untitled” Fashion Show became the Weissman Foundry’s first large-scale public-facing event, establishing a bold precedent for transdisciplinary maker-driven programming. The event provided a platform for students to showcase their wearable creations, transforming the Weissman Foundry into a vibrant space for personal expression and shared celebration. Emphasizing accessibility and inclusion empowered participants to step outside their comfort zones and embrace creativity as a communal experience.
Key Features of the Event:
Creativity is Celebrating Individuality: The event framed personal style and wearable design as art, validating the creativity people already practice. By highlighting the artistry in daily acts like outfit curation, the event expanded perceptions of what it means to be a "maker."
Community-Centered Design: By showcasing a wide range of contributions, "Untitled" reflected the diversity and vibrancy of the BOW community. Participants expressed their identities through wearable designs, challenging societal norms and sparking inspiration.
Inclusive Celebration: The show brought together students, faculty, and the broader public in a space where individual expression was honored and shared, creating a sense of belonging and mutual inspiration. The show reflected the collective goals and aspirations of the BOW community, creating a unifying experience that celebrated diversity.
learningsCommunity-driven creativity flourishes when people are validated, included, and encouraged to share what they know and love, celebrating its creativity together, transcending boundaries, and sparking confidence, collaboration, and joy."
“Positive Audacity” is Contagious: Bold, community-centered initiatives inspire others to take risks and embrace innovation when grounded in a supportive, co-creative culture.
Cultural Transformation: Events like "Untitled" can shift perceptions of maker spaces from exclusive workshops to inclusive arenas of mutual inspiration. Recognizing and celebrating everyday creativity fosters an inclusive maker culture.
Cultural Ripple Effects: When people recognize their everyday actions as creative, they feel empowered to participate in new ways. Events like "Untitled" catalyze long-term cultural shifts, turning spaces into hubs of innovation and collaboration.
Scalable Inspiration: The principles behind "Untitled" can inform other creative initiatives, demonstrating how to merge personal expression with collective purpose.