Backs bent over a sewing machine, fingers raw from hard work, eye bags huge from hours without sleep, students put their heart and souls into their project due tomorrow- wait, hold up- it’s their outfit for tomorrow. As they compile the headpiece, jewelry, and shoes for the next day, they flush with pride at all they’ve accomplished and the individuality they’ve gained by obtaining self-sufficiency, and creating unique garments for themselves.
In the fashion design class, students learn how to work various fashion-related machines such as a sewing machine, make challenging designs to take home as personal items of clothing, and channel their creativity or incorporate their styles into their work. In room 1712, students learn more about the fashion world and find themselves in the fabric. They do this by sewing garments, drawing original designs, learning what styles are projected to be in fashion for the next season, and incorporating personal designs in projects.
“We started out this semester with fashion illustration, so they learn how to draw a correct croquis,” Fashion Design I teacher Deanna Bentley said. “They learn about the elements and the principles of design. We go into textiles. So each day is building upon getting to the end game, which is being able to design and also being able to create their own garments.”
Fashion design started at the high school about six years ago. It’s experienced much success ever since, according to Bentley. The high school offers three fashion classes: Fashion Design I, II, and practicum in fashion design. Fashion Design I is available to sophomores and up, Fashion Design II for juniors and seniors that have completed the prerequisite, and practicum in fashion design is the third level for the fashion design pathway, available to seniors who have completed both Fashion I and II only.
“What I tell my students is that it’s very relaxing once you get the hang of a [new piece of equipment],” Bentley said. “I don’t want them to be stressed out trying to use this piece of equipment, but they’re always intimidated by it. But by the time they learn the equipment there, they realize it’s really a relaxing part of their day, but it’s also a skill that they can take with them and use for the rest of their lives.”
Fashion I students recently did a project on the Pantone colors for Autumn-Winter. Pantone colors are the trend forecasting for color, and they’re predicted around two years out. Each student chooses a color, describes what it represents and why they chose it, makes designs surrounding that color, and finds outfit, accessory, and shoe inspiration to go with it.
“I did Italian Plum, because my favorite color is purple,” sophomore Elizabeth Ludlow said. “It’s a really pretty color. It’s deep and majestic, but it’s trendy and very fall. There’s definitely no wrong or right way to do a design. If it’s really whack, sometimes I’ll look at it from the perspective as if I was going to put it on the runway or if someone would buy it.”
Ludlow describes her style as athletic and trendy, and how she loves Free People and Free People Movement. Fashion design I begins with getting to know what fashion is, and the basics of how to use a sewing machine and making a garment. In Fashion II, they learn more about trends, how to market certain fashion items, and they have the opportunity to pick some of their own projects to make designs for themselves.
“Fashion design II is a continuation of the ideas and the content that students learned in Fashion design I,” Fashion Design II teacher Melissa Wegrzyn said. “My students this year are very close knit. I only have 11 in my fashion class, and they are mostly juniors and seniors. They are very talkative, but very, very creative. They love to use their imagination and their personal style, likes and dislikes to come up with something that they like or maybe something that they don’t.”
Fashion Design II is double blocked, so the class sees one another every week day. In Fashion Design II, they learn more about the principles and elements of design and fashion, and then go into the parts of the machine, the different stitch types. Then, they move into the set-in-stone projects, so they have instructions on what they need to do. They assess sewing skills, goals, growths and weaknesses. That prepares them for future projects they do on their own.
“I think that the ideal profile [for someone wanting to pursue a career in the fashion industry] would definitely be somebody that is patient and willing to learn and willing to adapt,” Wegrzyn said. “Don’t let one mistake define who you are as a fashion designer.”
While Wegrzyn teaches Fashion II, she also teaches family consumer sciences, lifetime nutrition and wellness, and human growth and development. According to Wegrzyn, some fashion projections for spring-summer next year include skinny jeans, vibrant colors, asymmetrical styles, and animal prints like cheetah and zebra. But currently, teens and adults prefer looser and more comfortable clothing. Earlier in the year, the students did a trend market project broadcasting future trends based on designs at New York Fashion Week. Senior Nylah Berkley had the opportunity to incorporate her own style in this project, and continues to sew her own attire outside of the class.
“I’d say my style is kind of 70s, but also comfortable stuff,” Berkley said. “I’m really into Black fashion. Y2K kind of era, brown lip liner, and gold hoops. I draw my inspiration from Pinterest, the ‘Princess and the Frog’, ‘The Wiz’, and Brandy’s ‘Cinderella’. I’m making my own prom dress and designing what I want it to look like. It’s ‘Princess and the Frog’-inspired, ice green and I’ll probably use satin, possibly cotton and knit, but we’ll see.”
Berkley expresses interest in a career in the field of medicine, while doing fashion on the side for personal garments and usage. Junior Madeline Miller says the class has taught her how to do her own personal projects, like sewing band patch jackets, pants, accessories, and more.
“My favorite project so far has been the FCCLA project, because it has given me space to experiment with other colors and designs and mix various styles,” Miller said. “I balance incorporating my own style in my designs with what’s popular or fashionable by maintaining the color black in everything I create, along with some element that makes it differ from regular fashion.”
In Fashion II, students have the opportunity to compete in the Star event for FCCLA. Even if a student doesn’t compete, they can still design their own garment. Miller makes and thrifts all of her own clothes, but she’s also partial to second-hand brands such as Etsy, Poshmark, and Goodwill. Additionally, Miller has an interest in pursuing a career as a personal stylist.
“I draw my inspiration mainly from the late 70s-early 80s decade, when music genres such as gothic rock, post-punk, darkwave, new wave, etc. began to make traction,” Miller said. “The main style inspiration I take from this is from the pioneers of these genres, Robert Smith and Siouxie Sioux for example. I also have inspiration from old icons such as Morticia, Vampira, Elvira, Lily Munster, Tiffany Valentine, Patricia Morrison, and the 80’s in general.”
Practicum in fashion design is the third level for the fashion design pathway. The class comprises senior level students who have ownership of their practicum experience.
“Students have the opportunity to participate in internships and shadow or work in the fashion industry,” Bentley said. “Last year, one of the practicum students interned with the University of Texas fashion design department, while another student participated in Austin Fashion Week and worked on her college portfolio. There are many amazing opportunities for these students.”
Pursuing a career in the fashion industry could look like a lot of things. Many students have an interest in fashion competitions and pursue those. Bentley has had students who have gone all the way to win first or second place in national competitions. Her student who interned at the University of Texas fashion department went to UT two to three times a week to work on a sustainability project called the Particles of Color exhibit.
“I love the opportunity to make my own clothes,” Berkley said. “And with Fashion II, you get to design your own clothes. That was really intriguing to me.”
