Nic Specht

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Collection name: HOLLOW
Collection in three words: Experimental, avant-garde, transformative
Instagram: _geminic_

HOLLOW, from Nic Specht, is a genderless collection inspired by trauma and transformation that takes visual inspiration from religious iconography. This CCAD Fashion Show collection “is meant as a way for me to fully digest my personal trauma  and how I am continuing to move forward with my new reality after learning to cope with it,” he says. And, he says, while it comes from personal experience, “I believe that my work will reflect the collective trauma many of us have from the world being shut down, reopened, and changed forever.” For HOLLOW, Specht crafted jewelry from nontraditional materials and also created masks that emphasize the clothing as works of art. In addition, the collection makes use of donated fabrics and ones Specht collected over the last decade—some of which he then reworked through patchwork and weaving to create entirely new textiles. Ultimately, HOLLOW’s looks reflect Specht’s experience working through trauma and express hope and self-realization. Specht previously interned for Kohl’s, and after graduation, he will take a full-time position with the company as an assistant designer. He hopes to someday create and own a brand that focuses on designs for trans individuals and others with non-normative bodies.