With the Threads Fashion show just around the corner, designers on campus are busy preparing for the big day. 22-year-old Ashley Pinter is one of these designers, and a senior here at CMU majoring in apparel design and minoring in art.
Ashley is from Burton, Michigan and first began her work with designing in high school. “I did sewing, but I never actually brought my designs to fabric until I was in college and started learning more,” she shared. Being involved in fashion shows is something Ashley is more than familiar with, seeing as she’s been a part of both Threads and Fashion Association of Merchandising and Design (FAMD) all of the four years she has been here at CMU. Threads has given Ashley a chance to not only get the fashion show experience, but it also serves as a great opportunity to display all of her designs to others.
Ashley considers the pieces she’s made for the past Threads shows some of her biggest accomplishments yet, but is especially looking forward to exhibiting the designs she has prepared for this year. In this particular collection, Ashley has drawn much her inspiration from the well-known Disney animated film Cinderella. Unlike anything she’s done before, Ashley managed to create a ball gown style wedding dress that took more time and effort than many of the pieces she’s worked on so far in her designing career. “To me, this is my best collection yet, so I am really excited to show it off,” said Ashley. She has prepared both men’s wear and evening gowns for audiences to admire, two things that she has never really ventured to design in the past. “I am also excited because threads has always been one of the best days of my life. Seeing my collection go on stage gives you the best feeling in the world. A mix of adrenaline rush and getting butterflies,” Ashley went on to explain. This devoted fashonista considers the process of feelings inspired, putting the creations down on paper and then seeing the product come to life as her favorite thing about designing.
Many people don’t realize how demanding it is to be involved in the fashion show, especially for the designers. On top of classes, the individuals participating in Threads are required to dedicate most of their free time to whatever collection they are working on. Aside from the show itself, there are a variety of fundraisers and meetings that the designers must attend leading up to it. Money is of course a factor, but designers like Ashley see Threads as an experience that is worth every penny spent.
In the future Ashley aspires to start her own line of clothing, and her biggest dream is to see one of her looks worn on the red carpet. Check out this talented CMU celeb at this year’s Threads Fashion show happening on Saturday, April 13th at 7 pm in Central’s Plachta Auditorium!