I have the ammmazing pleasure & privilege to have University of Alabama Senior Apparel & Textile Design major, Savannah Pica interning for me at Southern Femme this spring!  She has her own truly unique style, as well as a phenomenal creative mind & an eye for aesthetics.  To welcome her aboard I’m passing along the torch & letting Savannah write her very first blog post on her own collection, Beach Chic.  Savannah also took the initiative to interview her Advanced Apparel Design professor, Brian Taylor that coordinated a recent fashion show as a means for the seniors to showcase their final collections.  Hope y’all enjoy & show Savannah some ‘Southern Hospitality’ with y’all’s wonderful comments!

I can’t believe that I am actually in my final year at the University of Alabama. Last semester my classmates and I found ourselves taking our last apparel design class.  So, in celebration of our pending graduation from the Apparel and Textile Design program our instructor, Brian Taylor, put together a fashion show benefitting the Alabama AIDS foundation for us to showcase our final design collections.

Working tirelessly through days, and most nights, those who chose to participate each created a four to five piece collection in a matter of two strenuous weeks. Each collection was meant to embody the designer’s inspiration and point of view.

The show’s location couldn’t have been more perfect too!  Mr. Taylor chose Tuscaloosa’s historic train station, due to its romantic, edgy ambiance.  The runway was positioned beneath antique, iron chandeliers that cast a soft light on the exposed brick walls of the station, which contrasted nicely with the brightly lit black runway.

Tuscaloosa L & N Train Station

Mr. Taylor is an inspiration to his students and full of words of wisdom and creativity.  After the show I sat down with my professor to pick his brain on the fashion industry, our final collections & life after graduation!

SP: What are the specific talents, skills, and abilities that this senior class exhibits?

BT: The senior class has a wide range of talent and design philosophies, great creativity, good construction skills, and a good eye for color and fabrics.

SP: Overall how do you think the 12 collections turned out?

BT: For the students who showed their collections, I thought it went great.  Each collection showcased the designer’s style and their specific clientele.  I was impressed with every one.

SP: How much did the fashion show event raise for the Aids Outreach Foundation?

BT: The event was able to raise almost $1,000.00.  All the money will go towards WAAO and the services they provide.

SP: Would you do this again for other senior classes?

BT: Definitely.  I hope each year we can collaborate with the Tuscaloosa community and help aid a specific cause.

SP: Do you have any advice for your students who are about to apply for jobs in this economy?

BT: Be patient and don’t give up.  It is a full time job looking for a full time job.  You can’t get discouraged and you must know in advance that you might not get the job you want right out of school.  Be willing to pay your dues and be willing to continuously learn.  Be humble and don’t walk in to a job interview with an attitude.  Find your niche and take your time searching for a company, as well as a position that’s the right fit for you.

SP: What advice do you have for your students or anyone aspiring to have a fashion career?

BT: Decide geographically where you would like to live.  Most jobs in this industry are located in metropolitan areas.  So, be thinking of where you see yourself.  It helps to be very flexible in this industry.  You will most likely have to move several times.  Once in the industry, be able to work with other people, be organized, always be on time, be able to make decisions, and continue to stay on top of trends.

Now the tables are turned!  Read on y’all for my interview with Savannah on her ‘Beach Chic’ (and that it is!) collection:

SF: What was your inspiration for your collection?

SP: I was inspired by the beautiful Greek island of Santorini that I traveled to one summer.  The gorgeous beaches and unique architecture left me breathless and keeps inspiring my designs.

SF: Which garment is your favorite from your collection?

SP: Definitely the long dress. It came out just how I pictured it in my head. I love how the top covers her bust area and is sexy but not too scandalous.

Leah Halligan, modeling Savannah’s alluring halter dress from her Beach Chic collection. Image courtesy of Eric Holsomback.

SF: Which garment took the longest?

SP: The swimsuit bottom definitely took the longest but was so worth it!

Melissa Montanez, modeling Savannah’s convertible bikini top and tie side bottom from her Beach chic collection.  Image courtesy of Eric Holsomback.

SF: Where did you find the gorgeous & colorful fabric you used?

SP: I found the printed fabric at a thrift store in Pensacola.  It came from a 1970’s vintage dress that I took completely apart with my little seam ripper.  The other fabric I found at this amazing fabric & drug store also in Pensacola called A and E Pharmacy.

Julia Klein modeling Savannah’s linen suit from her Beach Chic collection. Image courtesy of Eric Holsomback.

SF: Did you have any design dilemmas during the construction of the garments?  I mean 2 weeks is a very brief amount of time to create a cohesive, creative & well made collection!

SP: Yes!  Trying to get the bathing suit bottom to fit the crotch area just about drove me crazy!  But luckily one of my professors, Dr. Wimberely, has made many a bathing suit & taught me a great trick to get my suit bottom to fit perfectly!

SF: What advice do you have for a young woman or man who wants to be a fashion designer?

SP: Believe in yourself and push yourself to be the best! Listen to your intuition and stay positive.  Have dreams, create goals, and make them come true!

SF: Love that, I completely agree it is all about pushing yourself & staying positive.  So on that note what do you see yourself doing in the future?

SP: I see myself traveling to beautiful places to explore different cultures so that I am continuously inspired.  I would love to work for an amazing, creative, environmentally sensitive company.  And eventually I aspire to design my own swimwear line and sell it in my own boutique on the beach.

Leah Halligan and Beach Chic designer, Savannah Pica, walk the runway at the end of the show.  Image courtesy of Teresa Golson.

MORE INTERVIEWS & FASHION PHOTOS FROM U. OF ALABAMA DESIGNERS TO COME!!!