Theatrical, dramatic reveals— that is what Mars Foster likes to call her creations, and that is exactly what she does. This first-year pre-apparel design major creates transformative looks that begin one way and end another.
“I started making clothes five years ago (during COVID-19),” Foster said. “That turned into my parents (getting) me a sewing machine, and so I started making dresses and that’s just kept going.”
Then, three years ago, she began looking into quick changes, finding inspiration on Pinterest, TV shows and runway looks.
Foster currently has three finished looks. Her first ever quick change happened during lockdown. “I had just moved to Oregon from Michigan, and I was completely alone,” Foster said. “I was looking on Pinterest — as one does — and I saw these really pretty dresses with jewels. I’m like, ‘I kinda want to do that.’”
At that time, babydoll dresses were something Foster saw a lot, and she thought transitioning from a short dress to a long dress with jewels would be cool.
Foster’s second look was for a costume contest for a showing of Sharknado at her local movie theater. Her idea for the top part of the outfit stemmed from having an excess of blue fabric. “The idea of making the ocean into a shark bite came about,” she said.
First, she draped fabrics around crinoline. Then, she cut up a skirt from an old project and used tulle from her prom dress for the red. “This was all done in two or three hours,” Foster said.
Her most recent quick change was for the Memorial Union Activities Team’s annual “Slash or Slay” fashion show in October. Foster was walking around the activity fair during fall term and was stopped by Sophia Williams, the Apparel Design Club president. “She’s like, ‘You look like you’d want to be in a fashion show.’” Foster said.
When thinking about what to make for the fashion show, Foster wanted to make something Halloween-themed. “I had just rewatched“Black Swan with Natalie Portman, and I’m like, ‘Lowkey, this is giving Halloween. This is giving spooky,’” she said.
Foster usually can only practice it once or twice before showing it to an audience. “The hardest part for me is the transformation… getting it from one dress to another and figuring out the best way to make one look,” Foster said.
When designing outfits, Foster must consider the type of fabric. “I really like silky, chiffon fabric for ‘outers.’ It just feels smoother,” she said. “Oh my God, I never want to touch tulle again.”
As a college student, being conscious of the price and quantity of fabrics for her looks is important. “Fabric is expensive, and I always try my best to either find thrifted materials or repurposing stuff,” Foster said. “For the black-swan-white-swan, the base skirt, it was a tablecloth I got at Goodwill.”
When considering the future of fashion, Foster believes quick changes could be a transforming category. “Transformation could be helpful in reducing the amount of clothes you buy,” Foster said. “I think it would be really cool and fun if everyday outfits could have quick changes.”
Personally, Foster aspires to continue designing looks. “I know it’s a competitive space to get into and so, honestly, my goal at the moment is just (to) be a part of the fashion world,” she said.
Her big dream is to design quick changes for celebrities like “Chappell Roan, love of my life,” Foster said.
Overall, Foster says she wants her looks to be unique. “I gotta go big. I want to be bold. I want to be impressive.”
To follow Mars Foster’s work, check out her Instagram @mars_made
