By Maysen Marolda
Staff Writer
Costa Freshman Grace Castner has taken her passion for fashion to designing a basic undergarment, bralettes.
Grace Castner has always acquired an interest in fashion, but in the past year speculated that bras and lingerie were delicate and beautiful, and began to adore the contour aspects of them. Recently, Castner’s mom, Kim Castner, has been letting her take old clothes and extra fabric around the house to create her pieces.
“I truly believe in recycling so I thought this was a great way to be environmentally responsible and give her fabric that we did not have to go purchase from the store,” Kim Castner said.
Grace Castner began taking sewing lessons this year from a family friend and former home-economics district teacher in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, Louis Wolf. Wolf comes to her house whenever her and Grace Castner are both free, or if Grace needs help on a project. She applies her abilities by producing the items in her bedroom or anywhere around her house.
“I think Grace is very determined to become proficient in sewing so that she can continue to make her bralettes, nailing basic sewing techniques,” Grace Castner’s friend, Lucy Taylor said. “It’s very cool that she has an interest in fashion and I know I would definitely buy one of her pieces.”
The four pieces Grace Castner has made consist of a baby pink silk bralette, a simple white bralette, a floral bralette, and a white crop top. She says that she has not thought about selling the pieces, she is only interested in learning and creating.
“My favorite piece that I have made so far is a white crop top,” Grace Castner said. “It’s white with navy, blue, and kelly green speckled flowers along with a peplum and a low ‘v’ neckline that ties in the back with a navy toile ribbon.”
Since bralettes are so delicate, Grace Castner says it takes a long time and is a very meticulous process to complete her items. She says it is a very satisfying feeling when she completes a piece because her hard work paid off. Since she is just learning to create the bralettes it is difficult to fit the piece exactly to her body. So, she usually fits them to her mannequin, but they are still able to fit her.
“I am absolutely proud of Grace when she finishes a piece she has been working hard on. My biggest pet peeve is when my kids start something and do not finish it,” Kim Castner said. “So, when she starts something and finishes it, then it really makes me feel that she understands the whole benefit of working hard and that you actually do get positive results if you put your mind to it, even if it is not perfect.”
When Grace Castner grows up, she wants to have a career in the fashion industry. But right now she is just interested in learning how to excel in the basics and everything she is trying to achieve.
“I think my favorite part about designing my pieces is that it is fun to be creative, and knowing that you actually made something all by yourself is a truly rewarding feeling,” Grace Castner said.
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