Carefully threading a needle as she worked her fashion piece, senior Brittanie Green prepared extensively to show off her work during the April fashion show. As the spring showcase drew near, she focused on the final touches on her piece – a dress based on a flower to match the current season.
After years of enjoying clothing design, sketching and drafting patterns, the fashion design student finally made her way to the runway showcase. Green demonstrated her creativity by producing her works in the high school’s fashion design practicum class, where she was surrounded by dresses, rolls of fabric, needles, thread, and everything she needed to develop her artistic expression.
“I really enjoy this class,” Green said. “I love to put my inspiration and creativity into my work. It’s the most important part why I enjoy this class.”
Green said she always wanted to be a designer in her childhood. That’s what inspired her to take this class throughout high school.
“Growing up, I was really inspired by creating my own clothes and just the fashion industry in general,” she said. “I want to be a fashion designer in the future. That’s what inspires me to move forward with my fashion design creations.”
The centerpiece of her current work is based on the theme of the fashion show, which is inspired by the natural world and mostly flowers. But to Green, the beauty of the final product often hides the hard work required behind the scenes. She notes that the pressure of the deadline is the true test of a designer’s hard work.
“Our fashion show is inspired by flowers,” Green said. “My dress is like a big flower. The bottom (is) the pink petals of a flower. I (felt) prepared, but starting this project and working through it and being done with it on time (was) really hard.”
The impact of the senior’s work is best described by her fashion design teacher, Lindsay Swanson. She oversaw Green throughout the design process and highlighted the designer as having an “amazing artistic vision.”
“Brittanie is exceptionally creative, patient and resilient with her designs,” Swanson said. “Her fashion show look was so unexpected and impressive that the audience literally gasped when her model walked the runway.”
As she approaches graduation, Green provided advice for students who want to be a fashion designer and take the class in the future.
“Take your time if you really want to take this class,” Green said. “It’s better for your future if you want to work in this field and be a fashion designer.”
This article was edited by Emily Logan, Sahasra Kandiboyina and Victoria Byers.
