Design Concept:

"GOING WEST" By Kai M Huntoon

Garment Designs By Kai M Huntoon

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“Going West” emerges from the shadows of a turbulent past, encapsulating the emotional aftermath of violence and loss. This collection is an intimate exploration of the dark ambience that surrounded my parents’ marriage—a union marked by the combustion of love into abuse, addiction, and lust. Inspired by their wedding flower, the stargazer lily, each piece in this collection reflects the duality of beauty and pain, symbolizing both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.

 

Through a somber yet powerful palette, the collection delves into the depths of grief. Dark, muted tones are punctuated by the vivid crimson and white of the stargazer lily, representing the haunting beauty of love lost to violence. Silhouettes are carefully crafted to evoke a sense of confinement and release, echoing the emotional journey from the constriction of trauma to the liberation found in personal growth.

 

Central to the collection are stargazer lily-developed prints and preserved flowers encased in acrylic sealant, used as intricate appliqué. These elements serve as metaphors for memories frozen in time, both beautiful and painful, yet essential to the narrative of healing.

 

The name “Going West” is a tribute to my mother’s maiden name and symbolizes a journey of shedding the weight of my father’s legacy. It represents a return to a time of innocence, a reclamation of identity, and the reconstruction of self after enduring the devastation of loss. This collection is not just a visual commentary on darkness and grief, but a testament to the strength found in moving forward, even when it means leaving behind everything you’ve known.