Knitwear

Nora Abdelwahed
Springfield, Virginia
 

Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be creative and I’ve always had a great
appreciation for art, fashion, and photography. As I got older, I fell in love with
the idea of designing clothes for women. Every woman wants to feel comfortable and
confident in what she wears, it is essential to love what you wear and most importantly,
love how you look in it. Fashion for me does not need to be over the top to look special.
Something as simple as a few stitch and seam details can make a piece eye-catching.

Chelsea Maxine Agawa
Astoria, New York
 

Fashion design is the creation of art for the human body. It’s like putting a paintbrush
to a canvas, and that’s the way I’ve always seen it. My entire life I was in love
with art. It was my childhood dream to pursue fashion, and so I did. My journey to
becoming a designer has been a grand learning experience, including traveling and
studying in Italy and England to broaden my understanding of the international fashion
industry and new educational opportunities. Every day, I have been exposed to endless
creativity that has developed my ability as a designer. I design as an art, and in
celebration of the woman’s figure.

Heidi Bischoff
Orlando, Florida
 

I was born and raised in Venezuela until I was 10, then immigrated to Orlando, Florida.
My mom raised me there until I was 18; then I made the big move to New York City.
My mom is a big part of why I am a designer; she always put a big emphasis on art
and culture. Growing up, I was always the big kid attending every art class at the
local museum. This greatly influenced my childhood and, ultimately, my pursuit of
fashion design. As I matured, I became more interested in the fashion design field
than general fine arts. A lover of all things art, I think my perspective in knitwear
is different because I love playing with interesting yarns and textures and I really
try to make my designs as well as my sketches miniature works of art.

Yuliya Bondarenko
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 

When I was eight years old, I draped a sheet over myself and created a dress. With
some lipstick and accessories, I looked fabulous. Looking in the mirror I knew: I
wanted to be a fashion designer. Fashion has always captivated me. I always notice
the style of those around me and use their garments as inspiration to create outfit
variations in my daydreams. This is part of my design process. My inspirations are
about a feeling rather than objects—something physiological rather than physical. I have a personal connection with the
concepts of all my collections, but I leave the interpretations to the wearer. Being
creative is a gift not all people possess and it should be embraced. To me fashion
design is not a job. Its a way of life.

Blake Burnett
West Nyack, New York
 

As a young adult, I was immersed in a world of photography, art, and music—all of which coalesced into my inspiration for learning how to design. What is most
captivating about fashion is its dual function as artistic expression and functionality.
By focusing on these seemingly contrasting ideas, there is a consistent challenge
to create garments with a fresh vision. The intention in design is to internalize
inspiration as an exchange between literal and abstract forms. With a clarified purpose
and willingness to evolve, I am prepared to contribute my talents to the fashion industry.

Aisling Camps
Trinidad and Tobago
 

My curiosity for design was sparked when I worked as an engineer across the street
from the Fashion Institute for Technology. Every day, I got off the subway and felt
like I should be spending my time on the opposite side of the street where I could
have an outlet for my creativity. I started taking weekend classes for a couple of
semesters and eventually left my engineering job in 2010 so I could take up fashion
school full time. I think my unusual life journey thus far has made my approach to
fashion unique. I was born and raised in Trinidad, watching Style with Elsa Klensch
on CNN in the 1990s. I moved to New York to study engineering at Columbia University
when I was 17 and grew into adulthood here in New York where I have lived for the
past 9 years. I think all aspects of my life subconsciously influence my designs.

Aimee Ciancarelli
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 

As far back as I can remember, I had reams of paper in my room covered with whatever
ideas spilled out of my head. It took a while for me to realize that I could have
a career in fashion. Designing always seemed like a far-fetched idea. I never could
find the clothes I wanted and I was always searching through magazines and online
shops for my ideas. Taking the step to go to school for fashion was a big one and
I believe I have only recently found my style as a designer. I believe fashion is
where I belong and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.

Andy Chan
Jacksonville, Florida
 

Ever since I was a kid, I was very interested in the art world. I began to appreciate
art and study art history at the University of North Florida. After receiving my associates
degree, I was determined to study fashion design. There is no better place to study
fashion than New York City. The only school that I applied to was the Fashion Institute
of Technology and that is where my journey began. I design because through fashion,
our personalities and identities are enhanced. Becoming a designer gives me a voice
through which I can create a personal relationship with clothing and people. I feel
that personal style is unique and through street style, individuals create their identities
for the world to see.

Victoria Clemente
Goshen, New York
 

Much of my inspiration for my designs stems from organic shapes and textures found
in nature. My senior collection is inspired by the rich colors of volcanic ash and
the intricate yet forceful way it settles on the Earth. I love knitwear because I
can play with different yarns, colors, gauges, stitches, dying, and knitting techniques
to achieve that organic and textural feel. The silhouettes I choose to design are
feminine and body-skimming, often showing back interest and a peek of skin. I hope
to design knitwear for the contemporary market when I graduate the Fashion Institute
of Technology.

Katharine Gray
Northport, New York
 

I want you to pull the wool over your own eyes. My passion for art began in early
childhood, drawing stick figures in dresses on all available surfaces—sofas, antique furniture, walls—until my mother substituted paper and alternative forms of art media to satisfy my
creativity. My mothers constant refrain of draw your own lines motivated me to pursue
my interest in fashion design. The relationship between natural elements and advances
in technology drew me to the knitwear specialization at FIT, where I could combine
my interests in textile and design development. The duality of my design aesthetic
incorporates the idea that there should be as much beauty as there is comfort in my
creations.

Soyeon Hwang
Seoul, South Korea
 

I have admired and enjoyed art since I was young, and I wanted to have a career related
to art. However, as I grew up I wanted to do something more practical that people
could appreciate in their everyday lives. That was when I realized discovered my passion
for fashion design. I want to design clothes that carry humor and playfulness. I want
my garments to be fun. I love wearable garments, and I would like to give them more
character and whimsical details and make them stand out more. Many designers appeal
to femininity, but my design philosophy is to pursue the unique characteristics of
each person as an individual.

Jelena Ibrishimovikj
Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
 

I have seven years of experience working in the fashion design industry in Europe.
I am expanding that experience in New York where I have been a resident for more than
five years. After experiencing knitwear for the past two years at the Fashion Institute
of Technology, I am absolutely fascinated with it! I think that owning at least one
knitwear machine is a great investment to any serious and upcoming fashion designer
today. I love working with textile fabrics and knits, because I like the idea of mixing
textures, structures, and weights. This is why I design women’s apparel using fabrics
and yarns together. I have a minor in History of Art, and I love designing costumes
as well. I would like to work at an inventive company, and it is important to me that
they care for the environment and animals and use sustainable ways of production.

Samantha Ince
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
 

I’m originally from St. Vincent, a small island in the West Indies, and my love for
design started as a child, fueled by my culture and surroundings. At age 17, I pursued
a two-year foundation studies in Fashion Design in a neighboring island at the Barbados
Community College. After completion, I spent the next four years teaching textiles
at high schools in an attempt to save money so I could pursue my ambitions in a more
fashion-ready environment. Due to the lack of fashion industry in the Caribbean, no
one from my island has ever become a professional fashion designer. After enrolling
in the Fashion Institute of Technology, I chose to specialize in knitwear. I am interested
in the textural aspects of knitwear. Through careful research, its amazing how I can
create intricate surfaces that aren’t typical of knitwear.

Elizabeth Joyce
New Jersey
 

At the age of five, I moved to London and it was a serious culture shock. I went from
an American public school with no dress code to a strict British school with awful
uniforms. The only common ground I had with my classmates was our fantasy about what
we would wear if we weren’t stuck in our school uniforms. Fashion was my escape, I
drew constantly, and every piece of schoolwork was littered with my designs. When
I started knitwear classes, I discovered a whole new area of design. I am captivated
by knitwear, and all the incredible possibilities and developments in the knitwear
industry. I believe it is the clothing of the future. The technology is evolving at
an exponential rate, and it seems the possibilities are endless.

Kinjal Katakia
Canada
 

As a child in India, I was always surrounded by a wealth of culture and numerous festivities.
Before I knew it, I was visually drawn into the fashion industry, with its colors,
textures and designs. My love for sketching, patternmaking, and fabric manipulation
inspired me to enroll at the Fashion Institute of Technology and pursue a career.
In 2010, I worked as a product development assistant at the House of Pearl Fashions
where I thoroughly enjoyed working on lab dips, fabrics, and approving fit samples.
Currently, I am interning at Nautica. After graduation I wish to start working as
a designer to inspire and motivate others through my ideas and vision.

Mashal Khan
Long Beach, California
 

My understanding of fashion defines itself through relying heavily on concept and
inspiration. My collections have buried meanings derived from social phobias, irony,
and criticism. My love for film was cultivated at a young age when I filmed my siblings
in self-produced, directed and written short films. I returned to film because it
includes visual interpretations of larger concepts I had explored. I have translated
my obsession for film and unique concepts into a love of costume design. I hope that
my designs will be showcased in films that were made with a higher purpose. I am inspired
by art and artists, as well as the process and the product.

Sijeo Kim
South Korea
 

I grew up in South Korea and moved to New York City, chasing a dream to be a fashion
designer. Since she was a little girl, I enjoyed making paper dolls and dressing them
up with dresses that I created. Soon it became my ultimate goal. My father, who is
also an aspiring artist, influenced me to be imaginative and creative. I believe that
fashion is an art, and my design aesthetic focuses on anything visually intriguing.
I work with unusual materials using experimental techniques and various inspirations.

Tae Kyung Kim
Seoul, South Korea
 

I believe a designer can be a storyteller. Each person can interpret a story differently
and sometimes the meaning can get lost in the process. To be considered a good designer,
however, I think one must be able to stimulate and help the listener understand his
or her creativity. This is what I am trying to do as a designer. I want to create
designs so that people can understand my story easily through my garments. Mostly
I am inspired by abstract things such as emotions and feelings; I like to express
them in garment form.

Kathy Hweryung Kwon
Seoul, South Korea
 

Art and fashion are two things I always had as a child. Growing up in South Korea,
I learned about my passion for art at a young age. After moving to the United States,
I became exposed to a new world, new language, and a new culture of art and fashion.
My parents were against my decision to pursue my dream, but I never gave up. Each
day my dreams have become more certain. I now know that fashion is a part of my life
regardless. I believe fashion is finding ones own voice in this massive revolving
society. It is the form of art that can easily reach people and it is the easiest
way to express oneself. Its about diversity of individuals.

Ida Lamberton
Kansas City, Kansas
 

Fashion has been a part of me since I was old enough to dress myself. I have always
seen it as the most direct form of self-expression and one of the only means of communicating
something about yourself to the world without verbalizing anything. My first fashion
job was working at a retail boutique in Kansas City at age 11. The store owners mentored
me and included me in everything they did. Working in fashion felt right to me even
then, and I was inspired to commit myself to learning more. I have enjoyed every experience
I have had learning about fashion and developing my own design aesthetic. I am thrilled
to be a part of such a dynamic industry.

Hee-eun Lee
Seoul, South Korea
 

I like the texture of fabric, patterned fabric, and colors. This is a big reason why
I am currently studying knitwear at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Creating
my own fabric with beautiful yarns inspires me. I believe design is the best way to
express ones own voice. It allows me to get involved in various kinds of arts and
makes people see me differently. I would say my aesthetic is elegant and reserved.
My inspirations are usually come from nature—objects, color, texture, shape, etc. I want to design my clothes as an art and a science.
The aim is to create beautiful silhouettes executed with unexpected yet structured
design.

Wonhee Lee
Seoul, South Korea
 

I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and later moved to New York City to attend
the Fashion Institute of Technology. After I got my AAS degree from FIT, I decided
to continue studying knitwear in the BFA program. I have been able to refine my skills
in garment design and production as I increased my knowledge of knitwear. My designs
are based on minimalism with a strong sense of detail. My inspiration is drawn from
interesting objects or living organisms, combined with an emphasis on tailoring. My
goal is to launch my own line with my husband in Los Angeles, which will be our hometown
after marriage. I would like to expand my line across the world.

Katie Lewis
Syracuse, Kansas
 

I was born to a wheat farmer in a small town in Kansas. Growing up the youngest of
five girls, it was hard to stand out, but I was determined to do something different.
My journey began at the age of five. My grandmother looked after me and taught me
how to sew. I fell in love with sewing and began to compete in competitions. When
I was older I gave sewing lessons and put on my own fashion show. I design because
I love new and smart ways of doing something. I feel like a five-year-old again every
time I sketch, sew, knit, and search for something new. After a family trip to New
York City, I knew I belonged here and I wanted to become a fashion designer. My drive,
passion, and extremely good work ethic make me unique. Whenever I set my mind to something,
I make it happen.

Claire Lung
Taiwan
 

I was born in Taiwan and moved to New York City at the age of 16. Since I was a little
girl, I enjoyed drawing fashion sketches. I adore beautiful things and I love to observe
what people wear. I love to incorporate geometric shapes, bold colors, and color/fabric
blockings into my collections each season. I aim to provide easy and effortless fashion
with a philosophy encompassing the attributes of modernity, simplicity, sophistication
and femininity.

Morgan Maxwell
Miami, Florida
 

Art and design have been the largest influences in my life since adolescence; I learned
to process information via mathematics and artistic symbolism as a way to communicate
with the world around me. When I discovered fashion design as an art form I fell in
love with an industry that is not only artistic, but also an outlet for artistic expression
across cultures. I find fashion design to be such a creative and innovative field
that thrives on abstract inspiration and constant change, which is what draws me to
the industry with such intense pull. As a knitwear designer, I find I can truly create
and express myself in the most pure and original way by creating something new.

Desiree Cadman Mendoza
San Diego, California
 

I am a citizen of the world born in San Diego, California, but with roots in Mexico,
Spain, and California. Every holiday I was inspired by family trips to different countries,
a tradition that instilled in me a love for travel and a deep appreciation for architecture,
art, culture, and flavors. I expressed these experiences as a child when I created
castles and clothing. At 14, I opened up a small boutique. At 17, while studying architecture
at a community college in California, I began interning for an athletic wear company,
where I discovered found my love for prints and production. As a designer and artist,
my aesthetic is largely influenced by my travels or translating daily discoveries
into my designs through abstract textures, silhouettes, print, or color. I am an avid
kite surfer and foodie. I am currently obsessed with India, my latest travel destination.

Yoshie Muranaka
Los Angeles, California
 

My journey to become a fashion major began with my love of creating—whether it was clothing, jewelry, or home furnishings. I realized in high school how
much I enjoyed the design process and the eventual manifestation of a beautiful object.
Mostly I would make things for myself. Sometimes my garments were a bit odd, not obviously
pretty. But with encouragement from a few friends, I felt confident that I had a point
of view to share through my designs. In my opinion, if a designer can express something
that is true to them, it is going to be unique and interesting because each person
is an individual with a distinct perspective. The gratification of an authentic creation
process is why I design.

Marines Padilla
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
 

I am an artist and art enthusiast. I appreciate all forms of art from classical music
to conceptual visual art. I knew I loved creating from a young age. I kept drawing
journals and made my own jewelry. My interest in art and design led me into fashion,
which eventually turned into knitwear design. Color, people, and texture have inspired
my work since day one. Each knitwear piece I create embodies the meeting of organic
and urban elements, which I like to think parallels my nostalgia for my home, Puerto
Rico, and my present home in Manhattan.

Hannah Park
Los Angeles, California
 

I have always had a creative fire inside me. Ever since I can remember, I loved creating,
crafting, and drawing. At a very young age, I told my parents that I wanted to be
an artist. I had an irresistible urge to design and create. In the third grade, I
made and sold birthday cards. In the fourth grade, I custom-designed pencils and sold
them during lunch. As I grew older, I realized that my creative interests leaned toward
fashion. I experimented with deconstructing and re-designing my clothes. I really
look up to my mother who is also a fashion designer. I knew that having a career as
a designer would feed my creative hunger.

Jongsuk Park
Seoul, South Korea
 

I am inspired by the roughness of things around me, from nature to artificial creation.
In other words, I like to interact with things that can be seen and things that cannot
be seen. For me, the result of those interactions is a garment. That is how I express
myself. However, the concept means nothing if people do not understand it. I believe
one cannot enjoy design without understanding it. I am trying to let people easily
understand what I am saying and enjoy it, again, to interact, this time with people.
This is the reason and the goal of my design.

Sanja Radulovic
Hollis, New York
 

I was born and raised on a farm in Serbia. I was raised by two incredibly talented
people: my mother, Sinka, who is an amazing seamstress, and my grandmother, Marica,
who was a genius at embroidering and crocheting. Their incredible talents inspired
me to become a fashion designer. I have a deep passion for fashion and design. This
passion drives me and keeps me excited about my craft. I believe it is very important
to stay true to yourself as a person and to be unique with your designs. As designers,
we are inspired by similar things, so it is important to be unique and so that a piece
of you shines through your designs.

Noa Rennert
Tel-Aviv, Israel
 

As a child, I was fascinated with stories and different individuals. I began to communicate
my vision of different characters through design. With time and maturity I organically
explored and developed my own aesthetic for a lead character. I was inspired by culture,
nature, emotions, sounds, and certain atmospheres. For me, design is a language for
self-expression that allows me to directly communicate with the world. Fashion maintains
the perfect balance between the practical and the conceptual. Through shape, texture,
color, and idea it allows you to bring personality to life.

Danielle Ridarick
Point Pleasant, New Jersey
 

A woman of impeccable taste and style, my grandmother was the major influence on my
future in fashion. I’m the daughter of a detective and a MedEvac flight nurse, who
both worked strange hours. This resulted in my sisters and me spending most weekends
with my grandmother. Whenever she took us shopping, I would eagerly show her a shirt
or pair of pants I absolutely had to have. She then proceeded to ask me to make three
outfits combining that new piece with garments already in my wardrobe. If I couldn’t,
that shirt went back on the rack. Her profound question has significantly impacted
the way I approach design today. When I was young, she taught me the fundamentals
of knitting. I can remember the 11-year-old version of myself knitting an endless
scarf on her back porch, never imagining it would lead to my future career.

Julie Urania Rovelo
Bay Shore, New York
 

I have always had an interest in fashion design. I started drawing comics at first
but found more of an interest in drawing clothes. I took to altering my clothes from
the sewing skills I learned from my mother. I was very influenced by my older brother
who was in a punk band and I wanted clothes like his. I started by only designing
very alternative fashions inspired by many punk bands and other subcultures. As I
grew up, I expanded my inspiration and research to higher-end designers, still retaining
my original interest in alternative fashions. As a designer, I enjoy merging classic
and alternative, uniform and quirky, and elegant and youthful aspects of fashion.
Knitwear was the best specialization for me as I enjoy being very experimental with
my designs.

Olga Santiago
San Juan, Puerto Rico
 

To this day I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but by the time I was in the eighth grade
I was absolutely certain that I wanted to work in the fashion industry. I would look
at fashion magazines for hours and fantasize about the day I would get to play with
fabric and color to create beautiful garments. During high school, I took all of the
classes necessary to build my first design portfolio. In 2009, my dream of moving
to New York City to study fashion design became a reality after I was accepted at
the Fashion Institute of Technology. During my undergraduate studies, I participated
in studied at Nottingham Trent University in England. This was program focused on
the development of knitted textiles. After years of refining my design skills through
the specialized courses at both schools and my internship experiences, I am excited
to graduate and start working in the industry as a knitwear designer.

isadora scimeco Isadora Scimeca
Kinnelon, New Jersey
 

My path to becoming a fashion designer started when I saw my grandmother create garments
for all of the women in my family. I was able to see how much love and creativity
she put into each of her pieces and after she passed away I knew that I wanted to
continue in her footsteps. I started to take sewing and illustration classes in high
school and then did two years at the Art Institute of NYC, where I was chosen to participate
in their senior fashion show. I then continued my studies at FIT, finding that my
strength was in knitwear. In my third year at FIT I was given the wonderful opportunity
to study in Milan for the year. There I was able to experiment and see all the amazing
possibilities that knitwear can do. I am able to create and see textured fabric that
then becomes garments.

jennifer sim Jennifer Seung Yeon Sim
Chicago, Illinois
 

I decided to attend fashion school because I loved picking out outfits for my friends.
I wanted to gain knowledge of how clothes are made, what makes them special, and why
people buy and wear certain things. I believe fashion is a tool of expression. What
one wears can express ones status, beliefs, morality, personality—maybe even where someone is going. That is why fashion fascinates me. I design to
create a look that expresses not only a beauty that can be seen outside but also the
inside beauty that one possesses; a beauty that can be translated through clothes.

Jin Young Suh
Seoul, South Korea
 

My mother is a painter and an art teacher. She created an artistic environment form
the time I was born. However, despite of my huge interest in art, my mother was strongly
against me following the same path as her. Instead of sacrificing my artistic ability,
I developed my dream further to become a clothing designer. My mother approved of
this path not only because I was stubborn, but because fashion involves a significant
business aspect. For me, to design is to transform and to actualize my ideas, aspirations,
thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. I get a sense of accomplishment as my design is executed
exactly as it is pictured in my head. My design philosophy is to simply create and
design something that people, including myself, will never get sick of.

Tamara Taylor
Bloomfield, New Jersey
 

Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, I took to art and started to draw at an
early age. As a child, I would watch fashion shows on television knowing that I would
one day be a part of that world. I took art and dance classes throughout high school
to feed my creativity, and I became fascinated with the concept of making something
tangible from an idea. Determined to become a designer, I enrolled in The Fashion
Institute of Technology’s fashion design program and completed my associates degree
at Polimoda in Florence, Italy. My time there would forever change the way I perceived
design. It opened my mind to a world of knitwear and endless possibilities. As a designer,
I am most inspired by nature, abstract art, and the transitioning moments of my life.

Marta Weber
Brooklyn, New York
 

I have been interested in the fashion industry for as long as I can remember. As a
child, I was told that I was an extremely visual learner. That made me realize that
I could excel in a career in the arts. I took high school classes at the Fashion Institute
of Technology for several years, and developed a very strong passion for design. I
realized that I could turn my interest into something more, and I envisioned myself
having a career in the fashion industry. Another huge passion of mine is styling.
I think that my knowledge of both design and styling makes me unique and sets me apart
from others in the industry. I love being able to combine those two interests of mine
and I hope to have a career where I can combine those two passions.

Jing Jing Xu
Fujian, China
 

Ever since I was a kid, I used my Barbie doll as a mannequin. I made a lot of clothes
for my Barbie using my limited knowledge of patternmaking and sewing. As I grew older,
I found myself looking at garments and having the urge to redesign them. This desire
and passion to create garments to enhance and flatter the female form have inspired
me to become a fashion designer. As a designer, my aesthetic changes from time to
time. I never limit myself to a particular style or interest.

Jiin Yoo
South Korea
 

Every person has his or her own talent and that is certainly evident in my family.
One sister likes math and science and wants to be a doctor. The other sister plays
a traditional Korean instrument and plans to apply to music school. My brother played
soccer for the junior national league in middle school, and dreams of playing professionally.
And my profound interests have always been in art and fashion. I discovered my passion
for art when I went to the Fine Arts High School. During middle school and high school,
I was forced to wear a uniform. As I put my high school uniform into the closet, I
became best friends with fashion magazines and shopping malls. I always tried to keep
up with the latest trends. My dream is to design clothes that combine Oriental delicacy
and Western elegance, and portray a picture of a persons life. Just like a picture
can say a thousand words, I believe fashion—clothes, accessories, and the material itself—portray a thousand different characteristics of the person who is wearing it. My dream
is to become a world famous designer. I want to make clothes that are comfortable,
dandy, simple, and elegant clothes that bring out the true color of ones personality.

Sowon Yoon (Ona)
Seoul, South Korea
 

I was exposed to art and fashion at the beginning of my education. It has given me
a detailed understanding of fabric textures and current fashion and the ability to
draw. What differentiates me from others is my extensive exposure to international
fashion. Ive worked for Michael Kors and Soho Fashion in New York, for Vogue Magazine as an intern in Korea, and for WGSN in Hong Kong as an assistant journalist. These experiences have strengthened me and
kept me up to date on the fast fashion market.

FIT, State University of New York

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