INTERVIEW: JACKIE C.

For the first interview on my blog, I decided to interview one of my new friends, Jackie, whom I met from Lookbook! :) She's 17 and an aspiring fashion designer, with more than enough talent and achievements to boot! Plus she is such a sweet and genuine person and I hope you all will take the time to follow her future work. She is definitely a creative individual you want to keep your eye on!

Hi, I'm Jackie, and I write for the new blog Sewing in Stilettos (sewinginstilettos.blogspot.com). I love anything fashion-related, but especially sewing and designing. I’m 17 and a senior in high school in Indianapolis, but I’m hoping to head to New York in the fall to study fashion design. 


Q: How did you know you were interested in pursuing a career in fashion design?

I have always been drawn to fashion and creating art, so it was just a matter of merging the two together. I think I really knew that fashion design was what I wanted to do with my life in 7th grade. In 7th grade, I started sewing my own clothes by hand until I finally got a sewing machine, and I also started my own business selling handmade purses and bags.

Q: How did you start sewing?

Well, I guess I sort of answered this in the previous question, but I started in 7th grade. I first made a dress and a hooded top with lace on the edges. I did all of the sewing by hand, and it took ages to finish, but when I was done, I showed my dad the garments and he ended up buying me a sewing machine for my birthday. Once I got the sewing machine, I just kept on sewing garments until I eventually saved up enough to buy a Pfaff serger. After I had both machines, I just continued to sew as often as possible.

Q: What is the favorite piece that you have ever made?

My favorite piece is definitely my nude and black ruffled tulle dress. It was inspired by swirled lines on a piece of wood.

Q: Who is your favorite designer and why?

My favorite designer would have to be Alexander McQueen because of his unique and intricate designs. All of his designs seem to have a chillingly beautiful story behind them, and the detail and work put into an Alexander McQueen garment is absolutely amazing. Currently, I also think Sarah Burton is doing a fabulous job designing for Alexander McQueen.

Q: Where do you want to go to college?

I applied to Pratt, Parsons, and FIT, but I haven’t decided where I would like to go yet. I get my admissions decisions back on April 1st, so once I know if I got in and what kind of scholarships and financial aid I will have, I’ll be able to make my decision.

Q: What are your ultimate career goals?

My goal is to eventually have my own brand. I would like to have a cheaper line and a more expensive line, so that although one would obviously not be as high quality as the other, it would be available for a majority of the people who can’t afford high fashion runway pieces. My dream is to one day see my designs on the runway at New York Fashion Week.

Q: Where do you find yourself drawing inspiration from most often?

My portfolio for college was mainly based off of different places and aspects of those places. I think that this portfolio sort of reflected how I normally gather inspiration from almost anything in the world around me. I have designed garments from so many inspirations (from grapefruits to benches to cracks in the ground) that it is hard to narrow my inspirations down to any specific category.

Q: What do you believe sets you apart from other designers?

My designs are very creative and often very intricate, but they are also wearable. Furthermore, I design based on concepts and ideas, not just because I think something would look pretty. I want my designs to be unique and innovative, and I am always looking for and trying out new ways of doing things.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced thus far?

I think the biggest challenge I have faced is doubts. I have doubted myself before (especially when I first started out and not everything worked out as perfectly as I had planned), but I was able to get past my mistakes and now I know that my mistakes just help me grow as a designer. Other people have also doubted me because they think that I am just another girl who likes fashion and wants to be a designer because of that. However, when those people saw my work, they realized that I am not as untalented as they thought before. I have learned to not let doubts affect me because when you want something bad enough, you will be able to achieve it if you work hard and believe in what you are doing.

Q: And lastly, what has been the most rewarding experience in your fashion career so far?

My most rewarding experience was my classes at FIT and Parsons last summer. I spent the summer in New York, taking Advanced Fashion Drawing and Fashion Design Portfolio at FIT and Portfolio Development at Parsons. It was absolutely the most amazing 5 weeks of my life!

Thank you so much once again, Jackie, for letting me interview you! You will have my support throughout your entire career but I know that with your mindset and work ethic, success is guaranteed. :) Don't forget to fan Jackie on Lookbook here and follow her blog, Sewing in Stilettos here!