Many young girls dream about becoming a fashion designer someday. Though this fantasy is often considered unrealistic and far beyond reach, junior Kylie Tseng and senior Carol Wu are working hard to make this dream a reality.

In the Falcon’s own version of Project Runway, I compared Tseng’s and Wu’s sketches against each other based on my own preference. I’m no Michael Kors, but I found both designs to be incredibly elegant and creative.

Judging only their designs side by side, Tseng’s evening gown provides fierce competition to Wu’s chic blouse-and-capris ensemble. Tseng’s off-the-shoulder dress is simultaneously edgy and classy; Wu’s more casual outfit is fresh and summery.

The attention to detail present in both designs is impressive. Wu’s blouse, coupled with a tasteful cardigan, is paired with sunny-yellow shorts that cut off just above the knee. Tseng’s floor-length prom dress flows beautifully. While their styles are strikingly different, both artists show remarkable talent and innovation. Borrowing Tim Gunn’s favorite phrase, they definitely “make it work.”

Despite the incredible potential both designers hold in their art, Tseng would be behind Wu simply because of experience level. While Tseng has a notebook filled with sketches of clothes, Wu has gone on to design and create different items of clothing.

For Tseng, getting involved in the design industry is somewhat of a family tradition.

“My mom’s a graphic designer, my dad is a designer for chips, and my sister’s really into art, too. My family’s all interested in art,” she said.

Tseng’s mother helped her daughter realize her interest in fashion at a young age when they went shopping together. “I’ve always liked fashion. My mom has a lot of interesting clothes from the ‘80s, and she got me interested,” Tseng added.

Wu was first inspired by fashion on a trip to fashion store BCBG Max Azria in seventh grade.

“I saw the beautiful dresses and I was amazed at how creative the designers were and how some dresses flowed like water,” Wu said.

After doing some research and looking at different sorts of designs, Wu began to seriously consider entering the design industry. In eighth grade, she participated in a fashion show for the Organization of Chinese American Women, sponsored by Group USA.

“It was a great experience, and I realized I enjoy the design of the dress more than actually wearing it,” Wu said.

In order to pursue a more focused path, Wu attended the California College of Arts during the summer after her junior year.

“I was basically a real art student for a whole summer. I even lived in a dorm,” she said.
Wu took figure drawing, life drawing, sewing and designing courses during her stay. She was grateful for the opportunity of a real hands-on experience, saying that although it was tedious at times, she “enjoyed every minute of it.”

“I would stay in the studio from 8 in the morning till 11 at night, when the studio closes, just sewing and trying to build up the garment I designed,” Wu said.

Tseng takes a different approach to her passion for design. Though she would pursue a career in fashion with her parents’ consent, Tseng is on the path to becoming a graphic designer in the future.

“My parents think [fashion] is too risky, so I’ve never really designed clothes. I like taking photography, and I’m working on a portfolio of drawings and pictures that I’ve created on photoshop,” Tseng said.

Tseng enjoys the freedom of the design industry, especially because of how easy it is to switch between areas since they are all related.

Wu’s first piece was brought to life by her 70-year-old neighbor. She displayed her sketches and was taught basic sewing techniques by her neighbor which she still uses today.

“My favorite garment I’ve made so far is the pale pink paper dress I made for my final showcase at CCA,” Wu said.

Wu spent countless hours and weeks in the studio working with the fragile material and created 200 paper roses to attach to the dress, but the finished project was “definitely worth it.”

Wu plans to major in psychology next year, but “would love to extend [her] future career into the fashion world.”

Both Tseng and Wu have potential and are on the right track to becoming successful designers.

“Fashion design is more than just making pretty clothing,” said Wu. “It’s like a painting you can wear.”
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Wu’s guide to designing an item of clothing:
1. Find a muse! Something that inspires you.
2. Collect the ideas into a notebook, visualizing them from different angles.
3. Start a rough sketch, then add or erase accordingly.
4. Make sure it’s “make-able,” not too complicated or off-balance.
5. Get fabric swatches and materials that you could use in your creation.
6. Once you have the final materials and design, the sleepless nights begin!