My interest in fashion design began at a young age. As early as middle and high school I learned how to knit and sew. These skills introduced me to (non-digital) pattern making and several steps of the design thinking process such as ideate, prototype, and testing. I continued to hone my sewing and fashion illustration skills as I studied textile science and merchandising. Over the years I moved away from paper pattern making and gained experience with the Gerber CAD software. This software allowed me to produced digital patterns for my womenswear apparel and handbag designs.

 

During my junior year at EMU, I began my own fashion brand, Lau Lau, at which I planned to sell womenswear and accessories. During my senior year, I enrolled in a class called E-Commerce and Fashion Supply Chain.  For the final project of this course, I created and sold cosmetic bags under the Lau Lau brand. I utilized my e-commerce and supply chain skills by selling my products on Etsy and sourcing materials from wholesalers overseas. The Lau Lau store was online from December 2018 to May 2019, during this time I utilized my knowledge of  Canva, and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create digital marketing materials to advertise my products on social media.

 

During my fourth year, I focused my Honors College Creative Project/Senior Thesis on fashion trend forecasting and design. During this project, I researched the history and influence of trend forecasting in the fashion industry. From there I conducted my own trend analysis and forecast for the season fall/winter 2019. I used my results to design a womenswear collection consisting of six garments. During this project, I created technical drawings of four garments using Adobe Illustrator. To complete the project, I used my pattern-making skills to construct two of the garments from my collection and showcased them at Eastern Michigan University's Design Expo.

 

Since the completion of my undergraduate degree, I have been continuing to grow in fashion and design by pursuing a master's degree at the American University of Paris studying Global Communications with a concentration in Fashion. Since beginning my degree, I have taken courses such as Trend Forecasting, Fashion and Sustainability, and Design Thinking and Innovation. The graphic design and design thinking skills that I have gained thus far will become useful as I look to start a career in communications.