Kenna Hall

Name: Kenna Hall

Grade: Junior

Future College: FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising)

Hobby: Fashion Design, costuming

Wingspan: When did you start getting involved with the fashion design course?

Hall: “I took the fashion design course last year and I really enjoyed it. I honestly didn’t think I would, I just took it to fill my schedule, but I really enjoyed it.”

Wingspan: Have you always been interested in that realm of things?

Hall: “I’ve always loved fashion, originally I just liked making outfits, and then I got distracted with theater a little bit. I still am in theater, but I’ve been able to find a balance between fashion and the stage with costuming.”

Wingspan: Are you currently working on anything?

Hall: “I’m about to start working on me and my sister’s costumes for the Renaissance Fair, I have a pattern for mine and I’m going to make a pattern for my sister.”

Wingspan: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration for fashion design?

Hall: “Probably just the internet in general. I’ve definitely followed trends a lot. If I had to say a specific inspiration for any of my fashion would be fantasy. One of our projects involved us making a whole line, and mine was a very cottage-core kind of fantasy. That’s my main style.”

Wingspan: How did your friends and family react when you began to get more involved in designing? 

Hall: “They were like ‘Oh yeah, we like this idea, it gives Kenna something to do.’ They enjoyed it and loved seeing it. They were constantly asking for me to sew and fix their outfits for them.”

Wingspan: Where are you able to  find all of the materials to make your outfits?

Hall: “Normally I buy the fabrics from Joann’s or Hobby Lobby, and if I use a pattern I get it from those places as well. The one I have right now for the Renaissance outfit I got online, but most of the time you buy the fabrics there. You can make your own patterns with a dress mold.”

Wingspan: Is fashion design something you want to pursue as a career?

Hall: “Yeah, definitely. I either want to be a fashion designer or a professional stylist. I’ve been looking at a bunch of colleges for it and have been starting to make a portfolio. I have mainly been looking at FIDM. I had never heard about them before until they came to our class to talk to us about it and I just loved the school.”

Wingspan: Do you like to sketch out your designs before you begin working on them?

Hall: “Most of the time I have a designated pattern. The one I made last time was a designated pattern, and I got to the final of the pattern, and if I wanted to add anything else I would just play it by ear. Like originally the dress I had did not have a belt, and it was a little long so I hemmed it a bit shorter and I added a belt to it and I was able to just play that by ear.”

Wingspan: What’s the hardest challenge about fashion design?

Hall: “Probably finding the right sewing machine. I mostly use the ones at school because I really like them. But even then they are fickle beings. I’ve had multiple times where my fabric will get stuck in the machine and I have to cut it out and I can’t use the fabric anymore. You can only buy pre-measured fabric, so if it gets stuck in the machine your measurements are off.”

Wingspan: Why do you like fashion design?

Hall: “I like being able to take an outfit in my brain and bring it out into existence. Not just styling, even just outfits for everyday. It’s the ability to see something in your mind and have it be out and ready.”