Princeton Fashion Design Student Showcases Designs Virtually

PRINCETON, NJ — The coronavirus pandemic may have thrown a wrench into the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)'s annual Future of Fashion runway show — but that didn’t stop the show from going on virtually. Among the design graduates to showcase their work is Rachel Allen from Princeton.

Allen said it was "heartbreaking" to find out the professionally-produced runway show had to be canceled due to COVID. However, it ended up working to her benefit.

"It was a blessing in disguise because everything is now online and you have the ability to reach a bigger audience," Allen said. "When we have a fashion show only X amount of people can come to see it but having it online reaches a wider audience."

Having her designs showcased online for the world to see amid the pandemic is rewarding for Allen who has been a fashion lover since she was a kid.

"I didn't have an epiphany or know when the exact moment was, but when I was younger I was just always drawing people for my mom and dad and I would always draw clothes," Allen said. "If I had a pencil in my hand I would draw people and draw clothes... Designing all pretty garments and not realizing it."

Allen's goal is to "design with a purpose" and believes the future of fashion lies in clothing that is sustainable.

"I think it's the perfect time for us as an industry to step back and reflect on the choices we’ve made before this," Allen said of being in the pandemic.

She noted how the fashion industry tends to design with excess or have no purpose causing a detrimental impact on people and manufacturing.

Allen strives to offer clothing that can sustain time and be reused.

For her senior thesis which is incorporated into the fashion show, she unveiled an ensemble that comes with different pieces that can be worn in three different ways.

There is a jacket, blouse, pants, apron, and a bag. Her pieces include detachable pockets, a detachable pleated skirt, and a detachable apron.

To see the entire virtual runway show visit fashionshow.fitnyc.edu.

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