This year’s new Fashion Design course has bloomed among students interested in fashion and those new to the fashion world alike. In the class, students learn not just about fashion design, but also various aspects of fashion, such as its history and the industry.
“I’m planning to pursue fashion marketing,” senior Hannah Cohen said. “But even when you’re working in a specific area of fashion, you have to know the design process — the making of the clothes, what’s trending.”
Fashion Design teacher Yoonsun Chai, who developed the class and its curriculum, emphasizes creativity and flexibility. Instead of starting the semester with a fashion history lesson, Chai let her students jump straight into sewing. With 22 sewing machines at the class’s disposal, as well as school-funded sewing supplies and community-donated fabrics, there’s something for everyone to work with.
“The students were really eager to start sewing,” Chai said. “Now they want to bring in their own things. They want to fix the hem of their jeans or use their old pants to make bags.”
“Sewing is a really useful skill,” senior Nicola Colace said. “You can mend your clothes, make your own if you have a specific style, modify them, upcycle them.”
On-theme with reusing materials, Fashion Design students recently finished their eco-bag project, where they designed and sewed reusable cotton bags. Students added their own personal touch with beads and embroidery.
“Fast fashion allows you to buy something for $10, wear it twice and then throw it out,” Chai said. “There’s so much garbage, which makes upcycling and reusing materials part of my curriculum.”
For Nicola, making eco-bags was a fun introduction to the more advanced projects Fashion Design and next year’s Fashion Design II course will hold.
“We haven’t gotten into actual garment construction yet, so I’m looking forward to that,” Nicola said.
Students’ final project of the semester is creating pajama pants — a more in-depth look into designing clothing. Currently, students are compiling designs that inspire them, and will later create clothes according to a theme they develop, which range from flowers to stars.
As course selection for the 2026–27 school year opens, students can continue the pathway with Fashion Design II, a new class also taught by Chai. Students can develop a more advanced interest in fashion and eventually make full top and bottom garments.
But none of this existed just a year ago. Since Fashion Design I was first offered during course selection, interest in the pathway has exceeded Chai’s expectations.
“I was expecting one class of Fashion Design I,” Chai said. “But now, I have about 29 students in each of my three classes. The class is popular, and I’m really proud of my students, who are doing a wonderful job and having fun learning about fashion.”
To read more about Chai and her teaching career, click here.
