H-ton Fashion Design Alums in FIT Show
A pair of Huntington High School fashion design program alumni recently participated in Judging Day for the Future of Fashion at Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.
Allison Wieland and Sabina Schneider displayed their works at FIT’s John E. Reeves Great Hall located on the corner of 7th Avenue (Fashion Avenue) and 27th Street. The two FIT seniors graduated with Huntington’s Class of 2011.
The Judging Day for the Future of Fashion show is regarded as FIT’s World Series, with over 250 works designed by members of the college’s graduating class.
“Allie’s gown was a knockout pairing of lace with a boldly lined bodice on a gold satin skirt,” Mrs. Worth said. “This couture gown would be at home in a Madison Avenue boutique.”
Ms. Schneider’s work was sensational as well. “Sabina’s sportswear design, a standout mixing textures and hues in a flattering, earthy look was both feminine and strong,” said teacher Amy Worth, who leads Huntington High School’s fashion design and illustration program. “Her fine work is evidence of years of study and studio hours in draping, sewing and design classes at FIT.”
“I have always had a strong attraction to fashion, as I have always been enchanted by its intricate details and rich fabrications,” Ms. Weiland said. “My ultimate goal is to create garments my customer will never want to take off, with her cheeks hurting from smiling so radiantly because she is has never felt better. I have heard feedback from women after wearing one of my designs and it fills me with overwhelming joy. Creating that confidence in a woman makes all the hard work pay off and fuels my passion for design. I am a strong believer in loving what you do and doing what you love. Fashion is exactly that; there isn’t anything else in the world I could or would be doing.”
Ms. Schneider has long displayed outstanding talent in the field of fashion design. “In 2010, my high school fashion class sent Michelle Obama designs for her inaugural gown. I was invited to attend the donation of her gown to the Smithsonian and meet Jason Wu, the designer,” the Huntington alum said. “Mr. Wu told me that as a young and less notable designer, he did not expect to be chosen and was ecstatic to see her wearing his design on television. I realized then that success could happen at any moment, but only if you take on every opportunity. If one sketch could take me to D.C., who knows where my ambitions and studies will take me in New York? Now, I can say that my diligence has led me to work within some of America’s finest brands, and my optimism will continue to open doors to success.”
Mrs. Worth gushed enthusiastically about her two former students and how far they have come. “Both Allie and Sabina commented that preparing for this show had been an enormous amount of work,” the longtime faculty member said. “Both young women challenged themselves with projects that required extra time and attention when they were here in Huntington, so I was not surprised to see how much they had accomplished, technically and artistically at FIT.”