Senior Simra Shahab never expected her hobby of designing and making her own clothes to become a passion that qualifies her for state competition. Her original fashion design is sending her to Dallas April 12-14 for the FCCLA State conference after she advanced from the Region IV conference last Friday, Jan. 26.
“I made a Shalwar Kameez, which is a traditional formal Pakistani outfit,” Shahab said. “I have also made other hijabs, robes, and quilts, and I made another formal Shalwar Kameez to wear for my senior pictures.”
It takes about a week for Shahab to create a design and draft the pattern when she is making it from scratch. Then it takes another week to sew and stitch the project.
“My favorite part is definitely making my own outfit and being able to say, ‘I made it’,” Shahab said. “The reward of getting to wear the clothes I’ve made is what motivates me the most.”
Because she had always wanted to learn how to sew, Shahab chose to take fashion class in high school and has never regretted it. Her advice to someone who also wants to learn to design clothes is that it may be a messy start, but don’t give up.
“Trust the process and the product will be rewarding,” Shahab said. “This inspires me because I can always bring my ideas to life, no matter how crazy the design may be.”
Shahab said she plans to make her own clothes for years to come and eventually aspires to start a business.
“Simra has a natural eye for design,” Family and Consumer Science Instructor Devyn Duhon said. “As her instructor, it has been such a joy to teach her the skills needed to bring her ideas to life.”
