AROUND TOWN: Helena Walker

You truly never know where life can take you. From a biology student in Rhode Island to a designer in the making in New York, see how this design student changed her mindset to become a designer and where she hopes to end up because of it!

Name: Helena Walker

Role: Sophomore Fashion Design Student with minor in Product Development

CollegeFashionista: When did you know you wanted to be a designer? 

Helena Walker: Sophomore year of high school. I went to a boarding school, so we always had to dress up, so I used that opportunity to show off my style. I bought myself a sewing machine and taught myself how to sew, and I would make little things here and there. However, I never thought of it as a career to go into. So instead, I focused on Biology. I took Honors science and math classes because I thought I was actually going to go into nursing instead of design. But when I heard Marist had a Fashion Design program the summer before freshman year of college, I contacted them to see if I could still apply. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get in, but I wanted to try. A month later I was accepted, and the rest his history. 

CF: What do you believe is the most important quality to have as a designer?

HW: Patience. Hours and hours and hours are put into designing. You can spend so long on something, and if something goes wrong, or it’s not good, you have to start all over on it, like from scratch. And this happens a lot. You have to keep reminding yourself that you are doing what you love and that there is a purpose to all your hard work.

CF: If you had the choice to collaborate with any designer or artist, who would it be and why?

HW: I would definitely work with two old art teachers of mine. I love both of their artwork so much, and I feel like I could get a lot of emotion and creativity out of it. They both inspired me to do what I wanted to do, and I would love to collaborate with them on some designs.

CF: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

HW: Honestly? Not really sure. I have so many ideas and things that I want to do in my life,  but I am hoping I will have them all done by then. But in the end, I would love to be working or collaborating with a designer, or if I’m lucky, have my own collection!

Learn more: Check out Helena’s Instagram to see her life as a design student! Be on the look out for her designs to be featured in the Marist College Fashion Department Silver Needle Runway her senior year!