junk drawer
Junk Drawer is a clothing brand I created as my Senior Capstone project at the University of Utah. Although it was physically born at school, the idea existed for years before I ever brought it to life. This is the website where it lives, so in case you haven’t already, feel free to look around. If you want to get more into the nitty-gritty of my creative process, you’ll find that here.
Junk drawer embodies the core of my artistic expression
I love the challenge of telling a story through different forms of art. My style blends bold and whimsical elements resulting in playful experimentation throughout my process.
I gravitate towards intentional chaos and strong visual narratives to bring the world of junk drawer to life.
creative direction ★
creative direction ★
From coming up with a concept, to finding locations, to recruiting models and photographers, one of the best parts of Junk Drawer has been creative directing the shoots for each launch.
The “Tattoo” DresS
The Tattoo Dress is part of Junk Drawer’s Summer ’26 collection and is one of the most personal pieces in the drop—it’s something that would be a staple in my own closet. To bring the dress to life, I collaborated with friends to model and photograph the collection before heading to Kamas, Utah, to shoot with a horse named Boden. Since I don’t spend much time around horses or on ranches, the experience felt both unfamiliar and exciting. Working in that environment pushed me creatively and gave the images a unique character that I couldn't have created anywhere else.
The “Angel” tank
The Angel Tank is part of Junk Drawer’s Summer ’26 collection and serves as its most everyday, wearable piece. A few weeks before the shoot, I posted a casting call on TikTok and was blown away by the response. Connecting with so many talented creatives was inspiring, and their skill shows throughout the final images.
While I’m usually very hands-on during shoots, this project allowed for a more collaborative process. Sharing my vision and then giving the models and photographer room to follow their own instincts brought a natural, playful energy to the photos. From the beginning, I wanted the shoot to feel like two friends spending a summer afternoon together, and I think the final images capture that feeling perfectly.
The “rhinestone” tee
The Rhinestone Tee is part of Junk Drawer's Summer '26 collection and ended up being one of the surprise best-sellers at my pop-up event. Struggling to come up with a concept, I decided to lean into the simplicity of the shirt itself by shooting in an empty corner of my living room. The minimal setting, warm lighting, and playful posing created a liminal, slightly surreal atmosphere that made these images some of my favorites from the collection. What started as a creative block ultimately became the concept itself.
The “Garbage kitten” beanie
The Garbage Kitten Beanie was my first time working directly with a manufacturer. The process came with its share of challenges, from multiple rounds of samples to unexpected delays, but it pushed me to expand my skills as a designer and strengthen my ability to adapt throughout the production process.
For the marketing, I wanted to take a more natural approach—no props or overly staged moments, just kids wearing a statement piece as they went about their day. I used TikTok to find models for the first time, which allowed me to connect with a new community around Junk Drawer. Despite a last-minute change in the shoot plans, the response was incredibly rewarding, and the project became one of my most meaningful pieces because of the connections and growth that came from it.
The ”Junk” Tee
We shot this shirt at Kate’s apartment on a digital camera. I wanted the styling to feel effortlessly thrown together — sort of a punk-casual mixed with early- 2000’s nightlife vibe. The space became part of the narrative, and shooting with one of my close friends made it feel like we were just hanging out after hours. My goal was for the photos to be intimate, messy, cool, and naturally expressive.
The “kiss my aura” tee
I really felt like the architect on this one because I was behind the camera, which is really new for me. I knew exactly what I wanted this launch to look like before I even made the shirt but there was definitely a lot of freestyling once we started shooting. I was laying in the bathtub and standing on the toilet to get all the girly, slumber party shots I was envisioning. The warm, lo-fi lighting and asymmetrical angles create that sassy innocence that perfectly reflects the energy of the shirt.
The “Hotgirl” Tee
I went to the Pinterest drawing board to help convey my vision for this shirt to my photographer (2ndsonprod). He really helped bring this idea to life, and it was cool to collaborate with someone who had an eye for these things. The color palette really stands out to me, with dark blues and chromes that carry a cold, unbothered tone. The setting isn’t glamorous, but the shots still have an editorial quality. Everything feels like it’s happening at 3AM in a place you’re not supposed to be. It pushes at the boundaries of beauty and discomfort.