For Hussan Sumedha, founder and creative director of XFACTOR Couture, fashion isn’t just about clothing— it’s a mix of cultures and a testament to thrifted finds.
XFACTOR Couture’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection showcased a vibrant combination of culture and cloth at the Wolfe Center for the Arts on Jan. 26. Sumedha and Bobby Crape, third-year fashion merchandising and product development majors, co-designed the 15-look presentation.
The collection drew inspiration from the Chinese Tang, Han, and Qing dynasties, Korean hanboks, Japanese kimonos, and African boubou dresses, Sumedha said.
“Trying to put cultures together and match them together, help them coexist,” Sumedha said, explaining the show’s concept.
Watching Chinese dramas influenced the Cleveland-raised designer while creating XFACTOR’s SS25 collection, spurring the creative process from brain to board.
“First, I have to have a board. It’s usually dissected into pieces. It’s usually garments, accessories, and then hair, makeup,” Sumedha said.
After creating the board, Sumedha began his design process by researching techniques such as pattern-making.
“And then I start to sew. Through trial and error, I make the clothes. And then something works, and then something doesn’t, and I go and reform it over and over again,” Sumedha said.
From a table runner to the runway, model and second-year Edyta Waclawczyk captivated the audience as the show opener in a pink Chinese-embroidered look. Phones jumped out of pockets to capture the moment.
“It’s a thrifted table runner that I turned into a dress, and I think it’s one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” Sumedha said.
One by one, the models walked to an experimental techno soundtrack personally curated by Sumedha. The pulsating beats featured samples from electronic artists such as Crystal Castles, Arca, Pastel Ghost, and the Japanese cyberpunk film “Ghost in the Shell.”
“The beginning is a segment from ‘Ghost in the Shell’’s OST,” Sumedha said. “I took the vocals from the Japanese women that are singing, and I isolated them and put it together to a cinematic soundtrack of ‘Suffocation’ by Crystal Castles.”
Look Seven appeared on the runway as model Jazmine Rembert strode out in black platform heels to a slowed rendition of “Sapphire” by Perpetualll. Long, braided hair adorned with florals complimented the white halter-neck dress.
Sumedha said the bouquet of white blossoms Rembert held symbolized loss.
“[It] does take a perspective of dying or decaying flowers as it happens to all living things. It exists as a reminder,” he said.
“The models are so amazed by the soundtrack because they’re like, ‘It’s absolutely beautiful.’ I think it really does represent the clothes,” Sumedha said. “It’s just so fluid, and it’s just so flowy.”
Sapphire Morrow, a BGSU 2024 graduate, wore Look Four, a sheer, kimono-inspired ensemble in soft white and blue hues paired with strappy metallic heels and a floral hair accessory. As she walked, the dream-like fabric flowed behind her, accentuating the soundtrack.
“[Sumedha] made this sweater for me, which was thrifted. And so was this long dress. He made it all with his own sewing machine,” Sapphire said. “I feel beautiful.”
Nicole Morrow, Sapphire’s mother, traveled from Columbus to attend and said she would return for another XFACTOR show.
“I thought it was nice. It was awesome,” Nicole said.
Since XFACTOR Couture’s Spring/Summer 24 collection in April, Sumedha has grown as a designer and a leader, he said.
“I’ve learned how to lead people better,” Sumedha said. “Learning how to speak up, lead, and use my authority in a good way, was one thing I learned.”
Over the past year, the designer taught himself box and fan pleating, both sewing techniques, Sumedha said.
“Even on the day of the show, I’m gonna have to go in for some things really early in the morning,” he said. “Make sure seams won’t pop when they’re walking, to make sure that dresses won’t lift up.”
Sumedha has persevered and conquered time management— a key skill in making his SS25 show a success.
“Last year I was running all over the place. It was absolutely insane. I just didn’t have a schedule for anything,” Sumedha said. “Now that I’m doing it over and over again, I’m learning every single time that I do it.”
The collection premiered on his 21st birthday, marking a significant moment for him, Sumedha said. He shared the celebration with friends and family in the audience.
“I’m welcoming in a new year, a new era, a new age,” he said.
Charmae Wainwright, Sumedha’s cousin, attended the show. Excited to see pieces he had teased on Instagram come to life, she said she had watched him grow from childhood into a trendsetter.
“I am so proud of him. He has been this mogul in the making since he was younger,” Wainwright said. “I can’t wait to see how far he takes it, and hopefully I’ll be front row at the Met Gala or some fashion show.”
Quieted voices rippled through the audience as Sumedha closed the show in Look 15.
The founder and creative director of XFACTOR wore a deep brown dress inspired by Bou Bous, or butterfly dresses, from West African cultures such as Ghana and Benin, walking to the beat as the flowing sleeves carried air with each step.
Looking to the future, Sumedha revealed plans for his next collection, an outdoor show inspired by “Dune.”
“One of my biggest inspirations is culture and religion,” Sumedha said.
With each collection, the designer continues to refine his craft. If XFACTOR Couture’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection is any indication of Sumedha’s artistic evolution, his upcoming “Dune”-inspired production promises to be a conquerable challenge for him and an anticipated event for audience goers.
