Since my first semester here at Appalachian, I’ve wanted to model for the apparel design and merchandising majors. Of course, I’m a little on the petite side, so I wasn’t chosen that first semester. It wasn’t until this last semester that I was given another opportunity.
My friend shared this girl’s status, saying she needed a model and to message her if interested. I messaged. The girl wanted me to come try on the dress ASAP. A few nights later, I walked over to the opposite side of campus. I followed her to get the dress, went to the bathroom and prayed the dress would fit. It fit. I sighed. I stayed there for about the next hour or so as this new friend and virtually flawless designer, Sarah Bischoff, told me all about her life.
She told me that this dress won a “scrubs contest,” and she had five hours to make it out of scrubs … and won. That’s why she was featuring the dress in the showcase.
(Above, you can see the drawstrings from the scrubs pants featured on the dress.)
She told me how she came to decide to become an apparel design and merchandising major. When she went to Cary High School back in Cary, NC, she didn’t realize apparel design could be anything more than a hobby. She was artsy. She drew. She took some honors classes. When her Grandma taught her to sew. she had found that hobby. She made her own prom dresses and didn’t have to pay a dime. Then, she came to App State two years ago and found out she could major in apparel design, and that was that.
She also told me about her super smart boyfriend and their long distance relationship. I couldn’t help but notice the pictures of the two of them, hanging on her wall, illuminated by tea lights.
After I heard all there was to hear and then some, I walked back. I ended up seeing her around campus at least two more times within the next couple weeks.
Then, before I knew it, it was time for the Apparel Design Showcase. Was I ready to help her out? Hardly. I’m entirely too busy. Regardless of how busy I was or how late I was, she was too excited to show off her dress.
(Here, I am the day of the showcase, ready to show off her dress.)
When I asked her why she was doing the showcase, or rather, why she was in preshow (because she’s a sophomore and not yet eligible to take the classes for the main show), she said, “To present my stuff and kinda show off,” as she should. She worked just as hard as the next designer in the preshow. She even made a 50s dress for “Clybourne Park.”
(From left to right, there’s me sporting the scrubs dress, her next model sporting her “Clyborne” or 50s dress, her sporting her own creation and her sister, sporting a pattern dress)
She likes making 50s, vintage and pin-up fashion dresses like all the dresses she featured.
The showcase was hectic for everyone involved, especially for her. One of her models got sick, and she had to wear her own dress. Thankfully, it was the one she made for herself, and she had extra heels on hand.
Sarah’s used to being busy. Not only does she sing with the ASU Gospel Choir, but she’s constantly making things. If it’s not for her classes, it’s for her small, fashion business. Yeah, you read that right.
It’s called upcycling, technically “Sarah’s Upcycling and Tailoring.” It’s like recycling but with clothes. She can turn just about anything into flattering, wearable clothes, which is what she likes making. You can check her out on Facebook at Sarah Buy Design. Recently, she turned a men’s flannel shirt into a crop top.
Before
After
Designing is really what she wants to do. She wants to be a designer, specifically for bridal or evening wear, tailoring to wealthier clients who want quality work (because she holds herself to high standards).
But, I mean, is there anything she can’t do with fashion? Oh, yeah, she also crochets, so there’s that.
When I asked her where she sees herself in five years – shhhh, don’t tell her boyfriend, but she wants to be married.
In all seriousness, she also wants to be financially stable with a job she enjoys and her own house – Psh, don’t us all, Sarah. Don’t us all.