“This project represents the accumulation of knowledge from the Draping course. The intent was to create a booklet based on research and the design process. The basis of my project is about acknowledging that K-State resides on land that was not theirs. K-State is a land-grant institution and I wanted to remind people of that history. The research involved the land we live on and the people who were affected by this. The design process involved using natural dyes from the Flint Hills and using the land itself as the inspiration for the designs. A serious topic that is talked about as well is Cultural Appropriation. To avoid any appropriation, the designs are simplistic and accentuate shapes found in The Flint Hills. One look is even made to be adjustable by being able to change the size of the garment. The top and bottoms are adjustable to be any size from size 8 to plus size curvy. This is to allow freedom for whoever wishes to wear the garment. This was a very difficult topic to take on, I was scared I would do it an injustice. However, this ended up being one of my favorite projects. The subject matter is important and as a female white woman, it is important that I recognize this. It is important for every white person to acknowledge and to learn about the injustices that our ancestors wreaked.”

— Claudia Filinger