For some, sewing is just a hobby. For Cameron Parks, it is and has been a huge part of his life for over twenty years. Read on to learn more about how Cameron is continuing his family’s legacy with his first Illinois State Fashion Show collection.
Her Campus: Have you always been a fashion major?
Cameron Parks: I came to ISU as a transfer student from Heartland Community College. I have always had a love for clothing available to consumers and want to contribute to the fashion industry with my personal creativity and artistic talents. Establishing a career in the fashion industry has always been a dream of mine.
HC: Why do you love fashion?
Cameron: Individuality and self-expression are the key points of why I love fashion. I have always found comfort in expressing myself through the way I dress. I am a very outgoing person, and clothing is a way for me to connect with others around me, even if they are strangers. The smallest compliment can flip someone’s outlook around and make a difference in their day.
HC: What is the inspiration behind your collection?
Cameron: After hearing the theme of the 2018 show, “Legacy,” I contemplated what the word legacy means to me. My mother shared her wisdom and expertise of garment construction with not only me but my six sisters as well. Her influence has without a doubt made me the person I am today. Her passion for dress was passed down to all of her children, and I am the second of my siblings to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising at Illinois State University. This show is a continuation of my family’s legacy as I exhibit my first collection to the public.
HC: What is something interesting about yourself that sets you apart from other designers?
Cameron: My support system. Growing up, I entered competitions for sewing and modeling through the McLean County 4-H program, the Illinois State Fair, as well as the Illinois State and National Make It With Wool Contest. My family is there for me whenever I need support or advice.
HC: What is your dream job after college?
Cameron: The fashion industry has such a broad range of career paths, so it is hard to narrow my options down. After receiving my degree at ISU, I would like to explore the corporate side of fashion business by becoming a merchandise buyer. Eventually, I know I will return to school to pursue a master’s degree and eventually receive a doctorate. Becoming a professor at a university is one of my long-term goals. If I could name the epitome of my career, I would become a freelance designer for high-profile consumers, focusing on the individual’s own style and creating an item that brings joy and satisfaction to the wearer.
HC: Give us a little idea about what we can expect to see in your collection.
Cameron: My purpose behind this collection is to show the technical skills I have learned through my experiences, both in school under my incredible professors and through my mother, who has been preparing me for this for over twenty years. In five short words…it’s going to be elegant.