SAINT MICHAEL ARCHIVES
Chaqué femme
After four years of undergraduate study, the senior designers at Centenary College dedicated an entire academic year to developing collections rooted in extensive research and personal exploration. Created between August 2012 and April 2013, Chaqué Femme emerged from an examination of womanhood in all its complexity, beauty, and diversity.
Inspired by Chaka Khan’s iconic anthem I’m Every Woman, later reimagined by Whitney Houston, the collection celebrated the many dimensions of femininity. The research explored varying body types and heights, the art of tailoring garments to women’s bodies, the presentation of feminine clothing on men, and the ways makeup and hairstyling serve as extensions of personal identity and expression.
Chaqué Femme became a study of possibility, challenging conventional standards of beauty while honoring the individuality of every woman. Through silhouette, proportion, and styling, the collection embraced the notion that femininity cannot be defined by a single shape, size, or aesthetic.
The spirit of the collection is reflected in Maya Angelou’s celebrated poem Phenomenal Woman:
"It's in the reach of my arms, the span of my hips, the stride of my step, the curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me."
Like Angelou’s words, Chaqué Femme is a tribute to confidence, strength, and self-definition, an affirmation that every woman possesses a unique and undeniable power that transcends traditional ideals of beauty.
THE REVIVAL
IM. MORTAL
Im.mortal was conceived between October 2014 and February 2015 and debuted at the Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts. This collection explores one of humanity's most universal experiences: mortality.
Through a sophisticated visual narrative, Im.mortal reflects on the inevitability of death and the enduring presence of those who have passed. While life is finite, the memories we create, the work we leave behind, and the impact we have on others continue to resonate long after we are gone.
The collection embodies the delicate relationship between absence and remembrance, transforming loss into legacy. Each piece serves as a tribute to the enduring imprint of the human spirit, an exploration of how love, influence, and memory transcend time, allowing us to remain, in essence, immortal.
CURATED: A VINCENT SAINT MICHAEL LOVE STORY
Love is a journey many spend a lifetime searching for, while others encounter it unexpectedly along the way. When genuine love finds you, resistance becomes futile. Rather than retreating from its vulnerability, Curated: A Vincent Saint Michael Love Story invites us to embrace love as we would an old friend—familiar, transformative, and timeless.
Conceived in 2017, the collection was inspired by a deeply personal chapter. The marriage of my eldest sister ignited a creative exploration of love through the lens of the Vincent Saint Michael brand. This inspiration evolved into a series of large-scale acrylic paintings, vivid expressions of passion, devotion, and longing that chronicled a love so profound it became impossible to escape.
The collection translated these emotions into wearable art. Romantic bridal gowns, inspired by the delicate beauty of blooming flowers, were paired with bold silhouettes that embodied both strength and tenderness. Rich color, texture, and craftsmanship converged to create a visual narrative of love in its most transformative form.
Curated: A Vincent Saint Michael Love Story is a tribute to the moments, memories, and emotions that leave an indelible mark on the heart—a deeply personal expression of affection, devotion, and the enduring power of love.
To live or not to live? That is the question.
Revival explores the transformative journey of renewal, drawing inspiration from the natural cycle of growth and rebirth. The collection reflects the remarkable process a seed undergoes before it can fully bloom, revealing the beauty that emerges through struggle, patience, and perseverance.
Buried deep beneath the earth, the seed exists in darkness and solitude. Yet within this stillness, a profound transformation begins. What appears to be an ending is, in fact, the beginning of life. Through germination, the seed breaks apart, pushing upward through layers of soil in pursuit of light. Upon reaching the surface, it is met by the sun, where growth continues and its full potential is realized.
Revival serves as a metaphor for the human experience—a reminder that periods of darkness often precede our greatest transformations. Like the seed beneath the ground, renewal is always possible. Growth is inevitable. Revival is imminent.
