Fashion Design is a course unique to South Windsor High School. The high school offers classes for various skill levels, which can be taken in any order, while both maintaining the focus of illustration projects. Both classes include sewing projects, and many students can wear their final projects. The class is led by Mrs. Ziff, who established the Fashion Design course in 2016.
“It started with only one section per semester and has grown to the two classes running in multiple periods each semester. When I started, I knew very little about fashion illustration and teaching fashion in general, but I’ve learned a lot and it has become one of my favorite classes to teach,” Fashion Design teacher, Mrs. Ziff, commented on the history of the class.
During the first semester alone the class has learned a variety of skills. A few of Fashion Design 1 projects are personal-style mood boards, fashion figure drawing in the style of Edgar Artis, an upcycled denim design, and a research project on sustainability in fashion.
Fashion Design 2 has learned the art of printmaking on canvas bags and scarves, along with making pajama pants, designing seamless patterns on their iPads, and an accessory of choice. The class’s final project is to design a paper doll including an array of clothing for their doll.
We do new, exciting, challenging, fun, creative lessons every day
— Ms. Ziff
Mrs. Ziff takes pride in the creative environment that makes this course unique compared to traditional courses offered in the building.
“Fashion classes are the only ones who have the opportunity to sew on a sewing machine. Each student gets to personalize each project to make things that show their style and interests. Another thing that sets my classes apart is the access we have to digital drawing on iPads with Procreate and Apple Pencil. We do new, exciting, challenging, fun, creative lessons every day,” said Ziff.
Students have the opportunity to work on their projects and additional educational resources outside of school. Mrs. Ziff assigns sketchbook assignments with different prompts, where students design different outfits on croquis (the outline of a figure used for designing). Practicing these skills at home makes it easier for students to improve, setting themselves up for success in the class.
“It has been one of my favorite classes I have taken so far in high school. Getting the hand of figuring out patterns was tough, but then I got it and understood everything better. My goals for this class were to improve my knowledge of fashion, as well as improve my sewing skills,” said Addison Gaucher sophomore at South Windsor High School.
South Windsor High School students and staff are immensely grateful for the Fashion Design Course, where creativity and education thrive.
