Wearing an adorable button-down, flowy blouse and booties this Fashionista is already interesting but a closer look at her life reveals that she has a fashion design major with a minor in textiles.  With interests in sustainability, technology and hopes to study abroad, I can’t wait to see what this Fashionista accomplishes!
Name: Sarah Norgaard
Role: Student Designer
CollegeFashionista: What influenced your decision to major in fashion design?
Sarah Norgaard: The most influential part in choosing to major in fashion design was the aspect of creating hands-on physical objects. There were always English, math and science classes that I enjoyed, but the finished products of those classes were merely words on paper. I wanted to actually have something to show for my work, while also allowing myself to be creative and dynamic.
CF: What are some interesting classes you have taken for your major?
SN: The interesting classes that I have taken are for my textile minor. I consider those classes to be interesting because when I started, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I had never done anything close to weaving and hadn’t even looked at a weaving loom up close. However, I now love the textile classes I’ve been in because they have taught me such unique and interesting techniques.
CF: What do you hope to accomplish while at Kent?
SN: Right now, the biggest thing I hope to accomplish at Kent would be to study abroad at Hong Kong Polytechnic University during spring semester 2016. I really want to take classes related to textiles while abroad, as well as sustainability classes. However, my greatest desire is to learn shoe design techniques through Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s footwear design and technology class.
CF: What would your ideal job be?
SN: My ideal job when I graduate would be to work for TOMS shoes. I am totally 100 percent in love with their company and the one-for-one policy that they have established. It would be a complete honor to be able to work for such a world-impacting company.
CF: What aspects of design do you enjoy the most?
SN: I honestly enjoy all aspects of design. I thoroughly enjoy draping and drawing. I like the hands-on quality of the major. Having a finished piece to hold up to someone and say “look at what I’ve done today!” is pretty awesome rather than holding up notebook paper and saying “oh look I found x!” My favorite part would most likely be weaving fabric on the loom and then making a garment or shoe out of the fabric. I have not yet done this, but for my next textile final I will be creating a zero-waste garment which I’m thrilled about. I would love to continue this idea however and weave fabric to then drape or manipulate within my fashion classes.
Learn More: To keep up with all of Sarah’s adventures follow her Instagram as she travels to Paris this summer and Florence in the fall.
