Education
Master's of Design in Fashion, Body and Garment
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fashion, Body and Garment
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Sculpture + Extended Media
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts
Awards
2025
Runner-Up Trashion Section, Australian Wearable Art Festival—Sunshine Coast, AUS
Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant—Boston, MA, USA
Somerville Arts Council Visual Arts Artist Fellowship Grant—Somerville, MA, USA
2024
Supreme Award, World of Wearable Art—Wellington, NZ
Avant Garde Section Award, World of Wearable Art—Wellington, NZ
Best in Show, Wicked Comic Con—Boston, MA, USA
2023
WOW Designer Development Award, World of Wearable Art—Wellington, NZ
2019
Mythology Section Award, World of Wearable Art—Wellington, NZ
2018
Dame Suzie Moncrieff Award, World of Wearable Art—Wellington, NZ
Metro Theme Award, ManneqART 2018 Sculptural Artworks Competition—Baltimore, MD, USA
Bra Art Competition, ManneqART 2018 Sculptural Artworks Competition—Baltimore, MD, USA
2017
Supreme Award Runner-Up, World of Wearable Art—Wellington, NZ
Sustainability Award, World of Wearable Art—Wellington, NZ
Audience Winner, Her Universe Fashion Show—San Diego, CA, USA
Grand Prize, Death and Dying, Wearable Art Fashion Show, Expo 216—Wilmington, NC, USA
2015
Grand Prize, Uncommon Threads Wearable Art Fashion Show—Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Millinery Award, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
MFA Fellowship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
2014
Graduate Travel Grant, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
Travel Grant, The Italian Cultural Foundation—Chicago, IL, USA
IES Study Abroad International Film Festival Finalist
2013
World Less Traveled Grant, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
New Artist Society Scholar, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
2012
John W. Kurtich Foundation Travel Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
2011
The Walk Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
2009
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship—Richmond, VA, USA
Undergraduate Research Grant—Virginia Commonwealth University
2008
Undergraduate Research Grant—Virginia Commonwealth University
Winner, Florida Tomatoes Art Contest
Grand Prize, Uncommon Threads Wearable Art Fashion Show—Baton Rouge, LA
Dean's Scholarship—Virginia Commonwealth University
Undergraduate Research Travel Grant—Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts
2007
Best in Show, Wearable Arts Fashion Show—Richmond VA, USA
Juried Exhibitions
2026
Tilted Paradise Trash Fashion Show, Corning Museum of Glass—Corning, NY, USA
2025
Australian Wearable Art Festival—Gold Coast, AUS
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
2024
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
2023
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
2022
D23 Mousequerade, D23 Expo—Los Angeles, CA, USA
2019
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
D23 Mousequerade, D23 Expo—Los Angeles, CA, USA
2018
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
Singapore Night Festival, National Design Centre— Singapore
ManneqART 2018 Sculptural Artworks Competition—Baltimore, MD, USA
Trash Fashion Show—Denver, CO, USA
2017
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
Death and Dying, Wearable Art Fashion Show, Expo 216—Wilmington, NC, USA
Her Universe Fashion Show, San Diego Comic Con—San Diego, CA, USA
Wearable Expressions, Palos Verdes Art Center—Palos Verdes, CA, USA
2016
Her Universe Fashion Show, San Diego Comic Con—San Diego, CA , USA
2015
Uncommon Thread: Epilogue, Wearable Art Fashion Show—Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Swarovski 120th Anniversary Showcase—New York City, NY, USA
2014
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
Her Universe Fashion Show, San Diego Comic Con—San Diego, CA , USA
2012
BHART#01, International Arts Festival—Anterwp, Belgium
The Woven Word—Turnhout, Belgium
Trashion, Wearable Art Gallery Show—Chicago, IL, USA
2011
Project Better Gown, Hospital Gown Redesign Competition—Minneaoplis, MN, USA
Uncommon Thread: Transmogrify, Wearable Art Fashion Show—Baton Rouge, LA, USA
2009
World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
Uncommon Thread: Cryptozoology, Wearable Art Fashion Show—Baton Rouge, LA , USA
2008
Florida Tomatoes, traveling art exhibition—Maine to Florida, USA
Wearable Art Exhibition, Louisiana State Museum—Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Uncommon Thread: FORCE, Wearable Art Fashion Show—Baton Rouge, LA, USA
VCUArts Commencement Ceremony—Richmond, VA, USA
Wearable Art: Illuminated Fashion Show—Richmond, VA, USA
SEAMLESS: Computational Couture, Fashion Show: Show Opener—Boston, MA, USA
2007
The X-Factor, Wearable Art Fashion Show—Richmond, VA, USA
Worn Again, Fashion Show—Richmond, VA, USA
Selected Exhibitions
2024
Her Universe Fashion Show (guest appearance), San Diego Comic Con—San Diego, CA
Artwear Fashion Show, Somerville Open Studios—Boston, MA, USA
2023
Dragon Con Costuming Track Exhibit—Atlanta, GA, USA
2020
Port Townsend Wearable Art Online Mask Exhibit—Port Townsend, WA/International
2019
Cosmic to Corporeal: Contemporary Queer Performance Practices, The MAC—Dallas, TX
Fall-A-Faire, Nick Cave's FACILITY—Chicago, IL, USA
BLINK Cincinnati, Light Based Art Festival—Cincinnati, OH, USA
Archive as Action, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center—Cincinnati, OH, USA
Rhinestone Cowboy, Performance Arcade—Wellington, NZ
2018
World of WearableArt Awards Show Exhibition, TSB Bank Arena in Wellington—Wellington, NZ
2018 World of WearableArt Exhibition, National WOW Museum—Nelson, NZ
Living Architecture: Rhinestone Cowboy with ATOM-r, costumes, 6018 North, 606 Trail—Chicago, IL, USA
Digital Forensic: Performing Gender Fluid Spectacles, costumes for ATOM-r, Victoria and Albert Museum—London, UK
BEAUTIFUL HOLY JEWEL HOME OF THE ORIGINAL RHINESTONE COWBOY, costumes for ATOM-r, Marlborough Theater—Brighton, UK
Kjell Theory, Chisenhale Dance Space, costumes for ATOM-r—London, UK
2017
Six Worlds of WOW, National WOW Museum—Nelson, NZ, USA
Kjell Theory, costumes for ATOM-r, Graham Foundation—Chicago, IL, USA
Kjell Theory, costumes for ATOM-r, Museum of Surgical Science—Chicago, IL, USA
2016
Lumenocity, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Light Festival—Cincinnati, OH, USA
#cautionmaybehot, Long Weekend—Oakland, CA, USA
2015
Coordinates Graduate Design Show, 38 Wabash Gallery—Chicago, IL, USA
Wallflower, Sage Galleries—Chicago, IL, USA
2014
Colors in Fashion, ICLAB—Florence, Italy
Three Expressions of Self, Sage Galleries—Chicago, IL, USA
IES Study Abroad Film Festival, Finalist—Chicago, IL, USA
Prepped, Usable Space--Milwaukee, WI, USA
2013
FRSTYRGRD, Sage Galleries—Chicago, IL, USA
2010
EcoChic: Recycled Fashion Show—Richmond, VA, USA
VCUArts Commencement Ceremony—Richmond, VA, USA
Design Commissions
2021
Denali | RuPaul's Drag Race—created series of custom garments and accessories for Denali on Season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race
2019
BLINK Light Festival, Cincinnati—create a series of light-up, sculptural costumes for the light festival
UNIQLO—serve as stylist for photoshoot combining recycled UNIQLO garments with pieces from rising SAIC fashion designers
Pivot Arts—custom recycled trash costumes for theater company, performed for “A Persephone Pageant”
ATOM-r—custom costumes for Chicago performance collective ATOM-r, ongoing collaboration
Ikram—custom embroidery, embellishment, and beadwork for luxury boutique, ongoing collaboration
2018
Disney + Hot Topic + Her Universe—designed a fashion collection inspired by the Disney Princesses, released Summer 2018
2017
Walkabout Theater—custom costumes for theater company, performed for “A Persephone Pageant”
Hedwig Dances—custom costumes for theater company, performed for “Parting Shadows” and “Four Strong Winds”
2016
City of Cincinnati—ten custom, light-up, sculptural costumes for the light festival “Lumenocity”
Yellowhaus Studio—custom transforming costumes for a music video for singer Olivia Sebastianelli
2015
Virgin Hotels—designed custom uniforms under the direction of artist Nick Cave
Swarovski—designed custom chandelier for the Billy Reid store under the direction of artist Nick Cave
Speaking Engagements
2026
Visiting Artist Lecture, Professional Practices Grad Class, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
2025
Artist Lecture, Somerville High School—Somerville, MA, USA
Teaching Artist, International School of Nice (ISN)—Nice, France
2024
WOW Designer Development Award Presentation, World of WearableArt—Wellington, NZ
Teaching Artist, International School of Nice (ISN)—Nice, France
Artist Lecture, The Art Academy of Cincinnati—Cincinnati, OH, USA
2023
Teaching Artist, International School of Nice (ISN)—Nice, France
2022
Artist Lecture, International School of Nice (ISN)—Nice, France
2019
Teaching Artist, ArtWorks/BLINK Cincinnati—Cincinnati, OH, USA
Artist Lecture, Virginia Center for Creative Arts/ James Madison University—Auvillar, FR
Artist Lecture, The Art Academy of Cincinnati—Cincinnati, OH
Invited Artist, The Art of Innovation, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
2018
Artist Lecture, James Madison University—Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Artist Lecture, Virginia Center for Creative Arts/ James Madison University—Auvillar, FR
Artist Lecture, Sophomore Design Class, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
Panelist, Her Universe Fashion Show Update Panel, WonderCon—Los Angeles, CA, USA
Panelist, Digital Forensic: Performing Gender Fluid Spectacles, Victoria and Albert Museum—London, UK
Panelist, BEAUTIFUL HOLY JEWEL HOME OF THE ORIGINAL RHINESTONE COWBOY, Marlborough Theater—Brighton, UK
2017
Visiting Artist Lecture, Senior Design Class, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
Visiting Artist Lecture, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Design Class, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago—Chicago, IL, USA
Press
2024
1News | TVNZ Breakfast Show Appearance, Construction and high-vis inspired Supreme WOW winning garment, September 2024
The Post | Te Upoko O Te Ika, WOW supreme winner on life, grief and her artistic journey, September 2024
Radio New Zealand, WOW supreme winner Grace DuVal, September 2024
Lucire, Grace DuVal wins World of Wearable Art Supreme Award for 2024, September 2024
Radio New Zealand, US designer's 'electrifying' high-vis creation tops the 2024 World of Wearable Art Awards, September 2024
The Press | Te Matatika, Kaikōura quake rebuild inspiration for WOW winner, September 2024
The Press | Te Matatika, World of WearableArt in pictures, September 2024
Radio New Zealand, How incredible are the creations at this year’s World of Wearable Art?, September 2024
MiNDFOOD, World of WearableArt award winners announced for 2024, September 2024
Stuff, High-vis, cones and curves win WOW supreme award, September 2024
2021
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Grace DuVal's Drag Race Hat Trick, May 2021
2019
The Dallas Morning News, The MAC’s visually rich ‘Cosmic to Corporeal’ explores sexuality, identity, November 2019
Cincinnati Business Courier, These are the interactive installations for Blink 2019: PHOTOS, October 2019
The Dominion Post, Simply Spectacular, September 2019
Stuff.co.nz, WOW gears up for another successful season in the capital, September 2019
World of Wearable Art, Grace DuVal: Up-Cycling Materials, May 2019
2018
Mazda ZoomZoom Magazine, The WOW Factor, Fall/Winter 2018 Issue
Paper Magazine, Meet Vogds: The Chicago DIY Pop Star Making Radical Music, October 2018
The Atlantic, Scenes From the World of WearableArt Competition, September 2018
World of Wearable Art, The 2018 WOW Award Winners, September 2018
Lucire, Natasha English and Tatyanna Meharry pick up their second World of Wearable Art Supreme Award, September 2018
The Adelaide Review, A Thread Runs Through It: The wearable art movement, September 2018
Elite Daily, Hot Topic's Disney Princess Collection Means Year-Round Costumes, July 2018
Bustle, What's In Hot Topic's Destination Disney Collection? It's A Modern Twist To Your Favorite Princess Looks, July 2018
Bleeding Cool, Her Universe Launches Disney Princess Line – There’s a HeiHei Purse, July 2018
Laughing Place, Her Universe Debuts Destination Disney Princess Inspired Collections, July 2018
Orange County Register, Comic-Con 2018: New Disney princess line to debut from Claremont, OC Her Universe winners, July 2018
Inside the Magic, New Destination Disney collection from Her Universe available now at Hot Topic, July 2018
HelloGiggles, The latest Her Universe collection for Hot Topic is all about modern takes on our favorite Disney Princesses, March 2018
Textile Fibre Forum Issue #129, WearableArt 2017, March 2018
2017
World of Wearable Art, The 2017 WOW Award Winners, September 2017
World of WearableArt, Collide, 2017
Lucire, Rinaldy Yunardi wins top honours at World of Wearable Art Awards with Encapsulate, September 2017
News Hub, World of WearableArt Awards: The winners for 2017, September 2017
Stuff.co.nz, World of WearableArt opening: Get in touch with your wild side, September 2017
Rolling Stone, 25 Best Things We Saw at 201 San Diego Comic Con, July 2017
Bustle, Why Geek Couture is a Movement That Every Woman Should Get Behind, July 2017
Orange County Register, Comic Con Fashion Show Winners Will Design New Disney Princess Fashions for Her Universe, Hot Topic, July 2017
Houston Press, Her Universe Fashion Show Reveals New Fandom-Inspired Designs at San Diego Comic Con, July 2017
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Fashion 2017, May 2017
2016
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Fashion 2016, May 2016
Arts Thread, SAIC Fashion 2016, May 2016
WCPO Cincinnati, British Singer Olivia Sebastianelli comes here to record videos with Yellowhaus, February 2016
2015
Uncommon Thread, Grace DuVal 2015 Winner, October 2015
Crystal Blog, Causing a Commotion for 120 Years, March 2015
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Fashion 2015, May 2015
2014
World of WearableArt, World of WearableArt 2014, September 2014
2011
Jezebel, How To Make Your Own Joan Of Arc Armor Using Bike Tire Tubes, November 2011
2008
Bostonist, Bostonist Fashion: Seamless Fashion Show Review, February 2008
Daily Candy Boston, Beauty and the Geek, January 2008
Concord Academy, CA Students and Teachers Attend Fusion Fashion Show, February 2008
2007
V Magazine, The X, December 2007