Myth Busters – Fashion Industry Edition
Allegra Brantly ’04 shares her creative journey and dispels some fashion industry misconceptions
Niblack arts lecturer, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and Foxcroft alumna Allegra Brantly ’04 busted a few myths about the fashion industry during her workshops on Thursday and presentation on Friday of last week.
Myth #1: The Fashion Industry is Glamourous
While the end result often appears glamourous, it turns out that the fashion industry is not all glamour, all the time. As about 20 girls learned firsthand in their workshops with Allegra on Thursday, their preparations for putting on a fashion show involved schlepping clothes, shoes, and accessories to and fro; multiple quick changes in a pretty chaotic setting; and letting others decide what looked good on them. Not everyone gets to be a model, either. Other essential, but not necessarily glamourous, roles are stylists, makeup artists, and producers.
While the end result often appears glamourous, it turns out that the fashion industry is not all glamour, all the time. As about 20 girls learned firsthand in their workshops with Allegra on Thursday, their preparations for putting on a fashion show involved schlepping clothes, shoes, and accessories to and fro; multiple quick changes in a pretty chaotic setting; and letting others decide what looked good on them. Not everyone gets to be a model, either. Other essential, but not necessarily glamourous, roles are stylists, makeup artists, and producers.
Myth #2: Fashion and Style are Synonymous
In Allegra’s view, “fashion” represents an emphasis on the latest trends, and a sometimes not-so-environmentally sustainable approach to the creation of clothing and disposal of the byproducts. “Style,” on the other hand, gives you permission to explore how you want to show yourself to the world. “We can’t walk around naked all day,” she says, so it’s important to think about the impression you want to create with your clothing. It’s also an opportunity to express yourself creatively, as well. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon on every fashion trend, she encouraged the girls to seek inspiration from their friends, their mothers and grandmothers, and other women they admire. Recognizing that their styles might change as they move from one stage of their lives to another, it’s important, she said, to remain true to themselves.
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In Allegra’s view, “fashion” represents an emphasis on the latest trends, and a sometimes not-so-environmentally sustainable approach to the creation of clothing and disposal of the byproducts. “Style,” on the other hand, gives you permission to explore how you want to show yourself to the world. “We can’t walk around naked all day,” she says, so it’s important to think about the impression you want to create with your clothing. It’s also an opportunity to express yourself creatively, as well. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon on every fashion trend, she encouraged the girls to seek inspiration from their friends, their mothers and grandmothers, and other women they admire. Recognizing that their styles might change as they move from one stage of their lives to another, it’s important, she said, to remain true to themselves.
Myth #3: All You Need to be a Designer is Your Vision, Some Paper, and a Pen
Allegra’s own artistic journey as a designer, which she shared with the community on Friday, was a series of learning opportunities. Once she had a vision of the robes she wanted to design, she had to set about finding a financial partner, getting herself trained at the Fashion Institute of Technology in the technical aspects of creating her vision, and securing suppliers and manufacturers in an industry where contacts are not easily shared with newcomers. When she learned that a fabric with the qualities she sought for her robes – a fabric that wicks moisture, is machine washable, and works well with the vibrant prints she likes to use – didn’t exist, she taught herself how to fabricate it, working with technicians until it was just right. Once created, her robes needed distribution, advertising, social media and marketing campaigns, an online presence, among many other things. As a small business entrepreneur, Allegra had to learn each of these critical skills along the way.
Allegra’s own artistic journey as a designer, which she shared with the community on Friday, was a series of learning opportunities. Once she had a vision of the robes she wanted to design, she had to set about finding a financial partner, getting herself trained at the Fashion Institute of Technology in the technical aspects of creating her vision, and securing suppliers and manufacturers in an industry where contacts are not easily shared with newcomers. When she learned that a fabric with the qualities she sought for her robes – a fabric that wicks moisture, is machine washable, and works well with the vibrant prints she likes to use – didn’t exist, she taught herself how to fabricate it, working with technicians until it was just right. Once created, her robes needed distribution, advertising, social media and marketing campaigns, an online presence, among many other things. As a small business entrepreneur, Allegra had to learn each of these critical skills along the way.
Allegra’s natural rapport with her Foxcroft sisters and her entrepreneurial spirit made her an instant hit with the girls in the workshops as well as with the community at large at her presentation. The fashion show presented by the workshop girls immediately following Allegra's presentation was a real crowd-pleaser! Afterwards, Allegra made herself available to anyone with questions and her frank and open approach to her experiences as an up-and-coming fashion designer opened more than a few eyes.
The Helen Cudahy Niblack '42 Arts Lecture Series established by Austi Brown '73 in 2007 to honor her mother, brings a variety of literary, performing, and fine artists to Foxcroft to share their work and the nature of the creative process.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
