Corcoran Fashion Club Provides Creative Outlet for Future Fashion Leaders
“If Pinterest was a person… that’s her!”Corcoran senior Janzel Santa laughed amicably as he pointed to Fashion Club Advisor Amorie Green, noting her impressive DIY skills and eye for design.
During Janzel’s freshman year, there was an after-school club where students could learn about fashion history – but he wanted to see it remixed – he wanted the opportunity to do hands-on projects and show his own creativity. Janzel plans to major in fashion design and photography at college next year, with the hope of eventually becoming a magazine photographer. So, his sophomore year, he approached his English teacher, Ms. Green. With her support, they formed the Corcoran Fashion Club, now in its third year.
Once a week after school, the group gathers to make friendship bracelets, tie dye, decorate tote bags, and more. Each meeting starts with a group conversation about the hopes, goals, and plans for the Fashion Club.
This year, for example, the group hopes to implement a bigger project tied into the school’s Black History Month celebration. Last school year, a local organization donated sewing machines to their group, and now their goal is to create upcycled fashion that they can display through a fashion show at the event.
“I really like fashion, so when I heard about the Fashion Club this year, I had to join,” junior Olivia Smith said. “I’d love to be able to start getting fabrics and start making clothes. My goal is to become a fashion designer one day. Our school doesn’t have anything else like this – it’s given me something other than cheerleading that I feel passionate about.”
In the past, the group has even gone on a field trip to go thrift shopping together.
“That was definitely my favorite thing we’ve done so far,” Janzel recalled. “It was really fun to check out the stores, and we made it a competition to see who could make the cutest outfit. A lot of times, school is all about academics or all about sports. Creative outlets can be limited during school hours, so this group gives us another place to express ourselves. My hope is that we can start using the sewing machines so those who take over the club in future years can learn about sewing and actually make outfits.”
As he speaks, his classmates nod in affirmation, their excitement clear.
“It’s an important space to create,” Ms. Green shared of the club. “It gives them a wind down and a space to mentally decompress after the hustle and bustle of the school day. It gives them a place to talk to each other and create and have that outlet.”