Leslie Dilloway grew up in Grass Valley, CA and graduated from Bear River High School. She interned with Bay Area couturier Julia Panciroli, and is earning her B.F.A. in Fashion Design and Menswear from the Academy of Art University. The inspiration for her graduation collection came from ethnic Turkish prints and textures that she infused with a grungy, ’90’s feeling in her fabric development.Her muse was a fictional Turkish cab driver in London in the late ’80s- early 90s who is mysterious, care-free, and sells drugs out of his fanny pack on the side. The drawstrings throughout the collection bring a casual, sporty element as well.
Leslie…
If you could come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?
I would come back as Duckie from Pretty in Pink. He will always be my favorite fashion icon – along with everyone else in that movie – and he was somewhat a muse for my collection as well.
What [item of clothing] is the greatest love of your life?
I treasure all of my mother’s clothes that I stole from her closet when I was in high school. Her closet was a time machine to some great decades I wish I could have experienced.
What is your greatest [style] regret?
Not buying these vintage, navy blue leather, Justin Roper lace-up boots. Still bugs me.
Who are your favorite [fashion] heroes in real life?
Vivienne Westwood, David Bowie, Peggy Moffitt, Issey Miyake, Wes Anderson, Ari Seth Cohen, Scott Schuman.
For more on the 2013 Graduation Fashion Show events, click here.