Gormin '26, Kumar '26 Designs Featured at Austin's Fashion Week
Third graders Abby Gormin and Lilly Claire Kumar participated in Austin’s Fashion Week (“Fashion X”) this month! As students at Austin School of Fashion Design (ASFD), they designed an original outfit and walked the runway modeling their final product at the JW Marriott on May 20 (Click here to see an ASFD video of the runway walks on YouTube). They answered some of our questions below:
When did you start taking design classes at ASFD? What made you interested in these classes?
Abby: I started taking workshops on Saturdays at ASFD last fall. In the spring of 2016, my grandmother bought me a sewing machine and shared her love of sewing.
Lilly Claire: I started with summer camps at ASFD two years ago when I was 8 years old and I’ve been taking classes there ever since. I told my mom that I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grow up so I needed to learn how to sew. She found ASFD online. I also thought it would be fun to sew on a sewing machine!
What inspires your designs?
Abby: My runway design was inspired by a dress I had in my closet with tons of ruffles.
Lilly Claire: I started with summer camps at ASFD two years ago when I was 8 years old and I’ve been taking classes there ever since. I told my mom that I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grow up so I needed to learn how to sew. She found ASFD online. I also thought it would be fun to sew on a sewing machine!
What inspires your designs?
Abby: My runway design was inspired by a dress I had in my closet with tons of ruffles.
Lilly Claire: This outfit for Austin Fashion Week is the first outfit I’ve designed all by myself. I wanted to make an outfit that I would want to wear and that was comfortable. I wanted it to be like my usual, normal style that I like to wear all the time. I also really liked the idea of sun and moon symbols so I wanted that to be part of my outfit somehow.
What sorts of items have you made so far? What's the hardest part about designing?
Abby: Lunch bags, pillows, reversible mittens, beanie (hat), aromatherapy bags. The hardest part is having 2 great ideas, but only being able to work on one at a time!
What sorts of items have you made so far? What's the hardest part about designing?
Abby: Lunch bags, pillows, reversible mittens, beanie (hat), aromatherapy bags. The hardest part is having 2 great ideas, but only being able to work on one at a time!
Lilly Claire: The hardest part about designing is making the patterns from scratch. It takes a lot of steps and sometime you have to redo it because you really want it to be accurate. I’ve made so many things at ASFD - a maxi dress, sun dress, an apron, a romper, a handkerchief skirt with matching leggings, a wristlet, a book bag, pajama pants, gloves and a matching hat, a swim cover up.
What did you show at Fashion X?
Abby: I created a blue tiered dress with sparkly tulle and capris.
What did you show at Fashion X?
Abby: I created a blue tiered dress with sparkly tulle and capris.
Lilly Claire: I wore a tunic with coordinating leggings and ribbon-tied ballet flats.
What does it feel like to see your idea come to life?
Abby: It feels awesome - one of the best things in the world! It took a lot of hard work. (5 months in the making)
What does it feel like to see your idea come to life?
Abby: It feels awesome - one of the best things in the world! It took a lot of hard work. (5 months in the making)
Lilly Claire: It’s exciting and I feel proud of myself!
What sort of feedback have you gotten from instructors on your designs?
Abby: My instructors thought my creation was happy and would look good on the runway.
What sort of feedback have you gotten from instructors on your designs?
Abby: My instructors thought my creation was happy and would look good on the runway.
Lilly Claire: My teachers always tell me what a good job I did. Sometimes they give me advice on what to do next time that would help me do a better job. People are always surprised and all of the things I’ve made myself.
Are there skills you've learned or classes you've taken at SAS that have helped you?
Abby: STEAM Lab and Growth Mindset helped me to keep on trying to find the best design that would work and look cool. I used math to make the pattern.
Are there skills you've learned or classes you've taken at SAS that have helped you?
Abby: STEAM Lab and Growth Mindset helped me to keep on trying to find the best design that would work and look cool. I used math to make the pattern.
Lilly Claire: Art class has probably helped me the most with my sketching because when I go to ASFD and start sketching a design I remember some of the things Ms. Melear has taught me like shading.
Will you continue taking design classes this summer, or do you have other plans?
Abby: I have other awesome plans this summer! Sleepaway camp here I come! I will also visit my cousins at the beach and stay cool Colorado. I will take more classes at ASFD in the fall.
Lilly Claire: Yes, I will! This summer I will probably take some camps at ASFD.Will you continue taking design classes this summer, or do you have other plans?
Abby: I have other awesome plans this summer! Sleepaway camp here I come! I will also visit my cousins at the beach and stay cool Colorado. I will take more classes at ASFD in the fall.
Congrats to our aspiring artists! Go Cru!
