By Hanna McGuire
Sports Editor
Having made her own clothes since her freshman year, Mira Costa junior Victoria Torres could be the next designer to have her clothing line displayed at New York’s famous Bryant Park. After watching over her mother’s shoulder countless times while she worked on the sewing machine, Torres decided to try the craft herself.
Without any formal training, Torres started making everything from bags and backpacks to skirts and blouses.
“When I shop, I see so many clothes that I like, but most things are very expensive,” Torres said. “Because I design, I can make cheaper garments and alter them to fit my style. My favorite things to make are blouses, but I also love to make vests because they are so easy.”
Torres’ mom, Irene Torres, who has been sewing since she was in the seventh grade, was an aspiring fashion designer herself. She noticed her daughter’s interest in fashion at an early age and has supported her dreams since.
“Since she was young, Victoria has always been very particular about what she wants to wear, and she puts together really cute outfits,” Irene Torres said. “Victoria knows what she wants out of a design, and I help her achieve that piece by helping her shop for fabrics and patterns.”
Fashion magazines and shows like Project Runway have also been a big inspiration for Torres.
“When I read Nylon, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire, I really look at how people wear certain pieces, and I figure out how I want to make them to go with the clothes in my closet,” Torres said.
Although Torres generally makes clothes for herself, on occasion she will make shirts or vests for friends. Along with Torres, there are a number of other girls at Costa who design their own clothes.
“Sewing isn’t very difficult, but it is definitely a learning process and it takes a little while to get the hang of,” senior Sophia Callahan said. “I absolutely love Victoria’s feminine and trendy style. She’s always in a complete outfit, head to toe.”
Making clothes has given Torres the opportunity to express her creativity.
“I have become very precise when it comes to detail. Every single element, no matter how small, matters to me. I strive to make everything perfect when designing my clothes and doing things like creative school projects,” Torres said.
With a dream of owning a store and having a fashion line driving her, Torres aspires to go to college for business in order to learn about the other sides of fashion. After that, she hopes to attend Parsons The New School for Design in New York.
“I definitely want to take designing further and be exposed to the business aspect of fashion,” Torres said. “It would be great to intern as a buyer and see first-hand how things happen.”
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