The most noticeable aspect of Polly Bland, senior in FAA, is not her intensely colored yellow coat. Nor is it the newsprint umbrella she carries with her on rainy days. It is not even the grapefruit slice earrings she wears. The the most noticeable aspect about her is the fire and passion in her eyes when she talks about design.

Bland, one of only two undergraduate theater majors with a concentration in costume design, found her passion for the art only three and a half years ago.

She began as an anthropology major at Southern Illinois University. However, she soon became inspired by Patricia Field from “Sex and the City.”

“I loved how she promoted fashion design and the possibilities of the career,” Bland said. “She made fashion not be all about her but other designers as well. I really appreciated that.”

This inspiration made the decision to pursue design an easy one for Bland. Her decision to focus on costume design instead of fashion design, like Patricia Field, was even easier.

“A lot of my family has been in theater, but I never did it until college,” Bland said. “And when I did, I just knew it was right. I just had that feeling in my chest, like my heart was getting squeezed. I really felt something and I knew it was right.”

The other appealing aspect of costume design for Bland was the teamwork component. Costumer designers need to analyze a script and then work with the cast and crew to ensure a consistent performance.

“It makes me a better artist because I get to learn from others,” shes said.

Though she switched majors, Bland still nurtures her love for anthropology.

“Costume design really incorporates anthropology,” Bland said. “Everyone you design costumes for is different so you get to learn about a new person — what they like, their body type, who they really are, etc. — every time you make something for them.”

Currently, Bland has been working on costumes for University musicals and dance productions, as well as pieces for her classes. Her recent works range from creating costumes for February Dance, working with the cast of “Little Shop of Horrors”and showing her artwork and outfits at the Boneyard Arts Festival.

“I saw her work at the festival and I was immediately drawn to it,” said Liu Jing, junior in LAS. “It was so unique and quirky.”

Her favorite project has been a 1940s day dress that she designed from looking at a photo, a process that took over 60 hours.

According to her teacher Helene Siebrits, an experienced costume designer who has worked in film and theater, Bland has a future in fashion design.

“I believe Polly has what it takes to create her own fashion label,” Siebrits said. “She has a very refreshing, unique sense of style.”

Most of Bland’s work is modeled after a vintage style. She cites some of her inspirations as Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino. In order to get the materials for her unique style of work, she visits many estate sales and thrifts shops to get fabric. Nonetheless, the designer makes sure that her perspective is well-rounded. She has worked on operas, music videos, short films and works for Impulse magazine. She also blogs for Teen Vogue and Lucky.

Apart from all the design work she does, Bland also owns and manages her own online antique shop through Etsy called Paulie Antiques. The store sells not only antiques but also some of Bland’s vintage artwork. According to Bland, business has been going well.

“I’ve sold around 70 pieces and I only started the store last summer,” Bland said. “The things I sell aren’t really cheap, so I’m able to support myself just through this business.”

After graduation, she hopes to a take couple of years off to focus on designing and working with theaters. Bland’s long-term goals include writing a book about her own experiences and owning her own store.

“It’s not about being famous,” she said. “It’s really all about being able to express myself and having others understand my work.”

Jolie can be reached at [email protected].