Name: Michelle Schlung
Year: Senior
Major: Apparel Design and Development
Hometown: Antioch, Illinois
HC: When did you start designing clothing?
MS: When I was 7 I would draw clothes onto croquis like it was my coloring book. Then I would rip my old clothes apart and make them for my American Girl doll. My first design I actually sewed was my prom dress after my first sewing class in high school.
HC: Do you prefer technical design or fashion design? Why?
MS: I honestly enjoy both. Technical Design is like a puzzle to me and I get to solve the problem. The clothing fits perfectly with the right measurements and curves so it’s like solving a mystery. Fashion Design gets the creative side of me where I can bring my ideas and vision in my mind to life.
HC: What made you want to pursue a career in fashion?
MS: Designing in my courses, traveling to big cities, or interning all make me so excited about what I do. When I’m working on a new project or being at my internship, I just get so much anxiety because it makes me so happy to be doing what I’m doing. So, I guess it’s just something I’m very passionate about and I can never get bored with it and am always excited to keep working on whatever it is I’m working on and starting more.
HC: Aside from Stout, which Apparel Design schools or programs have you attended?
MS: I studied abroad at the London College of Fashion during spring semester of my sophomore year and then attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC the following summer.
HC: Describe studying abroad in London. How does it compare to studying here in the U.S.?
MS: It’s a whole new environment. The United States in general sometimes seems too conservative to me. In London, everyone has their own unique style and encourages and inspires you to find yours. I felt like there were no limits in most projects. Also, you’re surrounded by markets and high-end stores.
HC: How did you start working at New York Fashion Week? Which designers have you worked for?
MS: I took a workshop on styling at the Fashion Institute of Technology where I made a connection with my teacher who works backstage dressing throughout the year called BB Backstage. She offered me a chance to volunteer with her so I flew out there for A/W 2014 last February. It gave me the chance to work with Emerson, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Opening Ceremony, Karolyn Pho, Rebecca Taylor, Michael Costello, and Badgley Mischka.
HC: You’re the President of the Silhouettes Fashion Show Organization at Stout. What drew you to this show/organization?
MS: I went to the first meeting my freshman year at Stout and became involved with the organization. What drew me to this were the connections and friends I was making at the meetings and events. Seeing the senior collections and working backstage at the show made me very excited for the following years and one day putting my own collections into the show. It’s very rewarding putting so much work into something and then seeing it on the runway.
HC: Last summer you interned with Kohl’s for technical design in New York City. Describe that experience.
MS: Interning with Kohl’s was an amazing experience from the talented people I worked with to the amazing culture. The location was great, a few blocks from Times Square and being on the 19th floor with a view of the Empire State Building. I could not have asked for a better experience for an internship, they treated me with so much respect and taught me so many things. They were all about working as a team and bonding. We even went on a sailboat ride around Manhattan one day at work.
HC: Where do you draw inspiration for your garments?
MS: My inspiration comes from exhibitions I have visited and museums throughout my travels. I’m inspired by many different things within these exhibitions like body parts, architecture, modern art, numbers, or anything that is simple and minimal.
HC: What advice do you have for people who are just starting off with designing?
MS: Travel and stay open minded. Keep being you even if you’re different from your classmates. If you haven’t found your style or niche, don’t give up, keep being you, and it’ll come!
HC: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
MS: On the east coast or in Europe doing either technical design or fashion design. Definitely in a big city.
Photo Credit: Jaclyn Alexandra