Back to School
No.15: Joining the Material Institute, What the future holds for Denisio Truitt, and two special items for sale.
At the beginning of my residency at Salon Artist Studios, I found myself in a series of deeply inspired conversations with my suite mates, Nick and Jehlani. Both recent graduates of the Material Institute’s Fashion and Textiles program —a year-long, full-scholarship design foundation in New Orleans—their creativity instantly caught my attention. I was enamored not only by their design aesthetics but also by their capstone collections shown at Material Institute’s Metatron show this past Spring. Their work left me curious about their experiences and eager to know more about the program. I’d been considering applying but was admittedly intimidated at the prospect of going “back to school” in my 40’s, as evident by the half-filled application still saved on a tab in my laptop’s browser.
I’d known about Material Institute for years. If you’re a designer, musician, or creative adjacent to the fashion and music industries in New Orleans, you’ve likely attended one of their year-end fashion shows or presentations where recent graduates showcase their work. Even if you haven’t, their promotional flyers—with muted tones, clean minimalist design, and that perfectly unplaceable sans-serif font (It’s like what Helvetica wishes it was) has probably made its way onto your social media feed. There’s a quiet command in the invitation’s simplicity, a whisper that urges you to attend. Just make sure you’re dressed.
Like their promotional materials, the designers coming out of Material always seem fresh, slick, and the kind of understated effortless cool you wish you could emulate, were it not for your hard-to-mask neurodivergence and penchant for anxiety-driven oversharing. But aesthetics aside, and more importantly, the work? All of the hyperbolic words I type automatically when at a loss for adjectives, but that are, in fact, simply true. Innovative. Daring. Inspiring. Intentional. All of the things I aspired to when I began my design journey in my late twenties and that I continue to strive for in my work.
What does the next chapter of Denisio Truitt look like? What do I need to do to get there? My residency at Salon Artist Studios was the first step—learning the importance of space, of intimate interactions with customers, of collaboration. Joining the Material Institute feels like the next step.
So yeah, I felt a bit intimidated, and while knowing that was clearly a me problem, I admitted it to my new neighbors Nick and Jehlani, then asked them if it was crazy for me, an “auntie-aged”, self-taught clothing designer to apply for the 2024-25 Fashion and Textiles program. “Be honest with me,” I said, half expecting them to laugh. As though psychically linked, they both separately got serious and wide eyed, saying nearly the exact same thing, “You HAVE to do it!”
What I got from my conversations with Jehlani and Nick is that Material challenged and changed them as designers. While only a year long, the program requires a 4 days a week, 5-10 hours a day commitment from its cohorts. It is INTENSE and is intentionally designed that way; you’re getting nearly 4 years worth of schooling in one. They told me I would get tired and frustrated but with that would come inspiration, creativity, and the ability to be pushed to places in my design ethos I couldn’t imagine. They both felt like they left feeling more confident in their work and capability as designers. And the proof is currently on display in our front gallery at Salon. Both of their Metatron capstone collections feel researched, cohesive, expertly executed and constructed. That weekend I completed my application and hit submit, barely making the deadline.
When I stepped into Material’s workroom for my finalist interview, it was like entering a familiar but entirely new space. I’d been there before—once for fashion shows and another time for my partner’s music series, Couches, back when it was still an event venue. Despite its industrial feel, the space was warm and inviting. Walking through the atrium lined with willow trees, past the open-air kitchen and lunchroom, I felt an odd sense of comfort. Inside the workroom, with its long cutting tables, neatly arranged industrial sewing machines, and steel shelves with perfectly labeled black bins, the orange of the marker matching the orange ceiling, I felt a kind of peace.
The interview itself was relaxed and conversational. I don’t remember all the details, but at some point, I ended up telling a story that made me cry (of course). I think it was indicative of how safe I felt in that space, where I could talk freely about how deeply meaningful designing and constructing clothing has been for me, and how much I craved the kind of structured foundation Material could offer. I needed this—this chance to learn, to start fresh, to elevate my craft and take my work to the next level.
In the past few Dispatches, I’ve mentioned the shift I’ve been feeling in my design work over the past year. It’s as if I’m yearning for more—from myself, from my craft. This isn’t to diminish what I’ve created so far or the capsule collections I’ve dreamed up, but something about turning 40 (and now 41 just a few weeks ago) has me reflecting on the future. What does the next chapter of Denisio Truitt look like? What do I need to do to get there? My residency at Salon Artist Studios was the first step—learning the importance of space, of intimate interactions with customers, of collaboration. Joining the Material Institute feels like the next step.
Its only been three weeks since I’ve joined the 2024-25 Fashion and Textiles cohort, and already I feel like I’ve learned and grown so much. We are in the easy days, so the workload isn’t difficult but I’ve definitely had to shift my brain into school mode. My cohorts are all insanely talented and as committed to growing and learning as me. We are slowly getting to know one another but already it feels familial. I’ve never had a community of sewers and designers and I have to say, it feels fucking incredible.
So to celebrate this new step in my design journey, I’m offering two bespoke items I’ve learned to make during my first few weeks at Material. As the modules progress….I may add some more corresponding pieces. There will only be 2 each of these items available as I am using all recycled and dead stock fabrics and because I’m scaling back sewing and constructing for the next few months.
A Hat Full of Charm
In week two of the program we learned how to make a fully lined bucket hat as we got more familiar with using the industrial sewing machine as well as working with interfacing and sewing in a circle. I’ve actually never sewn a hat before so this was new territory. In addition to our assignment hat, our instructor challenged us to make our own variations based on the original pattern. I was inspired to make a hat that someone (like me) who isn’t a hat-lover would wear. Thus, the Charmed Leather Bucket Hat was born!
Made with 100% recycled leather from vintage and thrifted garments, this gorgeous hat features corset lace ups as well as rhodium, brass, and faux turquoise charms. It’s also fully lined with recycled fabric and winter friendly. It can be made to your specific measurements, for those of us with well-endowed noggins, just email me your head circumference for a perfect fit. There will only be two of these available and I am not sure if it will be restocked so if you want it, GET IT.
A Hoodie Fit for a Queen
Last week at Material was our hoodie module. I used an industrial serger for the first time and let me tell you… my life will never be the same! The speed at which these machines can stitch is mind-blowing. So if you’d like to help fund me getting my own industrial machines consider purchasing my take on the classic hoodie, made with imported hand-dyed indigo fabric from Mali.
The Nommo corseted beaded hoodie is named after ancestral waters spirits in the Dogon religion. It features a corset panel that cinches you in and elegantly falls just slightly under the curve of your bust, two front pouch pockets, and glass beaded trim. It’s handmade to your measurements. I will only have two available, with no plans to restock at this time. Note: this is authentic Indigo-dyed cotton from my personal fabric library (thus only 2 available).
The path ahead is still unfolding yet I am sure, now more than ever, that I’m exactly where I need to be. This is the beginning of a greater Denisio Truitt. Stick around to see what’s next!
If this is an indication of what’s to come, lawd save my bank account. It’s 🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍