Many students choose to create their own clothes, sewing on their personality and creativity into finished products.

Senior Sonya Raymakers uses different patterns and jewelry to come up with her clothing. She has been designing outfits since freshman year, which, she said, has helped her develop into the person that she is today. Store-bought clothing did not fit her taste because she prefers retro designs from the past. “From a more poetic angle, clothes are very human,” Raymakers said. “It’s fun to see what image you can create from a particular outfit, and when you’re behind every stitch, you know it’s all you.” Before creating an outfit, Raymakers sketches her designs out. Many of her design inspirations come from the New York Times Magazine and an online blog called The Satorist. After designing, she measures the amount of fabric needed and goes fabric shopping. If the project becomes too complicated, she will make a mock-up before starting.

Last year during prom, Raymakers created a late 1940s to 1950s silhouette with an edge. Underneath she added a crinoline to fit the dress with this time era. In the future, Raymakers aspires to become a professional theatrical costume designer. “I prefer to get very personal and design for myself, my friends, actors,” Raymakers said. “They are people I can get to know individually. I’m not a brand.”

Sophomore Shany Albalak designs her own clothes as well. “[Designing clothing] lets me use my creativity and expand my knowledge by trying new things and it’s also fun and a cheaper way to customize,” she said.

Albalak started making outfits when she received a sewing machine for Hanukkah last year. Before starting on a new design, Albalak thinks of a design in her head, then buys fabric and uses her sewing machine for the rest of the job. With the machine, she designed her sophomore Homecoming dress by combining ideas from different dress designs seen in the past. Part of the design also comes from her emotions and surroundings, which she incorporates into her clothing. The product was a baby blue dress with a small bow in the middle. “It’s really convenient because it saved money and it seemed like she enjoyed it a lot,” Mor Albalak, Shany’s sister said.

Albalak has begun thinking about next year’s Homecoming dress. “My motivation was basically myself,” Albalak said. “I strive to do the best I can on each project and also just do it for fun.” She wants to continue designing clothes in the future and hopefully improve her skills.

For students who want to express themselves in their clothing, they should do their best and learn from their mistakes.