Sometimes a Merchandiser, Always a Designer
My love of design started when I was 9 years old in my grand mothers kitchen. I told her I wanted to make a dress, so she took me to the craft store and we picked out all the materials we would need. She had a very old sewing machine that worked just enough to do the job, and a week later we had made our first creation. I can picture it still: a bright green top half with thick straps, and a very colorfully patterned attached skirt. I think that was when I knew I wanted to work in fashion.
In high school I had the opportunity to participate in my schools Wearable Arts Runway Program, which further deepened my love for design. The show was a booster event for the arts program, and the task was to create a runway look made out of anything but fabric. I ended up participating in the program for three years creating three garments total. Each show had a theme, and over the years my creations got more complex. My favorite piece I made during that program was during my senior year when the theme was based on mythical stories.
I was inspired by all the different versions of Mother Earth different cultures all around the world had, and knew I had to create something surrounding that. I found a ton of abandoned porch screening in the back of the classroom, ordered thousands of safety pins, and got to work. It took me months to create, but the final product was a floor length ball gown with intricate flowers, butterflies, and birds all created with safety pins. This project is something I am still proud of four years later because it gave me a space to let my creativity run free and helped me find my love my design.
This is me modeling my own design circa 2019
In college I studied Fashion Merchandising to learn how the industry worked, and because I didn’t want to squash my love of design by making it my work. To channel that passion somewhere else I started my own small sustainable clothing company called Ela’s Ensembles. It started out with just me and a sewing machine my parents had bought me for Christmas up-cycling or altering the clothes I already own. Then once I got more comfortable, I began to flip items I found in thrift stores into completely new and unique pieces. I loved creating something brand new out of something no one wanted anymore, and it reminded me of the Wearable Arts Program.
My friends began asking me to make them outfits, and once more people told me they wanted my designs I started to sell them. I created an Instagram page to visually track my progress, sell clothes, and I haven’t stopped since starting two years ago. Ela’s Ensembles is my creative outlet, and someday I hope to scale it maybe into my full time job (website is in the works). Even though I am studying merchandising, my passion for design has never left me. I hope someday to be able to combine my knowledge in merchandising with my love of design to create a brand that reflects my values, and personal style.