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Designer Interview: Emily Zhou’s Building Blocks of Design


Emily Zhou photographed by Laron Van Allen-Gilbert in custom Emily Zhou
Emily Zhou photographed by Laron Van Allen-Gilbert in custom Emily Zhou

Emily Zhou is a third-year student at the University of Colorado Boulder and the head of Roam Boulder’s Fashion Design Cohort. As an Environmental Design and Art Major with Business and Creative Technical Design minors, Zhou has all the tools necessary to create standout pieces of fashion. 


Zhou claims that most people don’t know “how long it takes” to create such intricate designs. Time constraints were some of Zhou’s biggest hurdles in completing the design process. “I feel like being a student studying so much [makes it] hard to find time to do this, especially because it takes so long.”

Zhou pieces are about pieces: how fashion is contracted together, piece by piece by piece.


Her favorite aspect of fashion design is watching “it all come together.” She was particularly enamored by “how structural and playful the theme is” this year. 

Michael Robinson photographed by Gabi Linke in custom Emily Zhou
Michael Robinson photographed by Gabi Linke in custom Emily Zhou

Zhou utilized some of the most iconic images and symbols from the circus in her designs. “I have balloon pants and this flower gear get-up. I feel like that was influenced by how playful and fun the design allows for.” 


She also utilizes unique and classic patterns and colors in her design. “I saw this photo on Pinterest. It was this girl with really long braids, with yellow tied in, and she was wearing this red jacket and blue dress. [It] really set something off in me that informed my color palette, and I just really like polka dots!”


You can see Emily Zhou’s design at Roam’s 2025 fashion show, Ringmaster, or by following Zhou on Instagram @holyemolyz.

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