The newest club at Saint John Vianney is the Fashion Design Club, created by Sofia Bianchi. Ms. Lau is the moderator of the club, and there are about 12 students participating in the club. Sofia’s love of fashion was inspired by grandmother and the popular TV show, Project Runway.
Through this club, the members are able to select fabric from a professional fabric store in New York City called Mood. They continue to sketch a design based off the fabric. After the member completes the sketch, the design is posted on the club’s website for the whole school to see.
One of Sofia’s greatest influences in her life is her grandmother. An Italian immigrant, her grandmother taught Sofia everything she knows about fashion and design. Her grandmother always said, “You can’t finish before you start.” Sofia believes this to be wise because nothing will come to you while you are sitting down doing nothing; you must get up and make things happen for yourself. In the process you realize “the small seed of fabric that you planted has somehow turned into a tree.”
Even though Sofia’s grandmother was a talented designer she did not have the opportunities to share her designs with the world. Sofia works to fulfill her grandmother’s dream. Sofia owes everything she has done and will be doing in the fashion world to her grandmother.
According to Sofia, fashion is an unlimited way to express yourself. “I feel like I want to meet all of my favorite designers, because it’s almost like I already know what they’re like by the way they express themselves through fashion.” Sofia feels that with each design, more and more of your inner spirit comes out. Clothing pieces should speak to us and say “I was made for you.” Sofia believes clothes are one way that makes us unique in this world.
Recently, the club held a t-shirt design contest to raise awareness for the club in the school. The winner was Danielle Radeke. The shirts will be produced as the club’s end of the year gift. The winning design and other entries are posted on the club’s website.