Looking for inspiration in a culture still slightly unfamiliar to her, senior Maddie Hopkins spent Wednesday, Nov. 4, at St. Louis Fashion Week (STLFW) at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. Hopkins attended the event in hopes of finding inspiration for her future.

“It was a really cool environment. It did not feel like St. Louis, almost like I was in a different city,” Hopkins said. “It was mostly older people, which felt cool and weird at the same time because everyone else there had careers and their lives started and were important, so it kind of made me feel important too.”

The first day of fashion week was the Caleres’ Emerging Designer Competition. Five emerging designer national finalists competed for a $25,000 award to help fund their dream career and fashion designs.

“I could totally see myself in the designer’s position later in life to start my own business, but not necessarily runway design,” Hopkins said. “I want to start a business but not specifically runway fashion, which is bold and mostly tailored to the stars, although that is a big part of the fashion world. I want to start my own clothing business with stores and everything.”

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STLFW was not just a fun night out on the town for Hopkins, she also found inspiration in the winning designers collection.

“I loved the designer that ended up winning: Katharine Polk. Her collection that was presented at the show was called Houghton. She was fab, and her designs were unique like runway fashion but still wearable for non-celebs like me. It wasn’t so runway crazy. I was inspired by one of her long dresses, it had a very unique shape with a very different cutout,” Hopkins said.

When asked about who she admires in the fashion world, Hopkins excitedly explained her role models.

“I love Tom Ford, even though I can not afford him with a lifeguard budget. I love the neutral colors he uses; it always looks really classy. I think my favorites are all male designers,” Hopkins said. “But, if I could be anyone, I would be Rebecca Minkoff. I think she’s so fashionable and makes everything in her own way. She doesn’t need to put her name on anything: you already know those are her own designs. Her bags are so trendy, and everyone has them. They don’t have the brand label on it but everyone knows that girl’s purse in the restaurant is Rebecca Minkoff. I want to be just like that.”

Hopkins knew from the start she wanted to be a designer and hopes to make her dreams a reality.

“I knew I wanted to do something in fashion since sixth grade because I’ve always cared about my clothes. When I was little, my mom would dress me and I hated it! So I brought clothes to school and changed into what I wanted—even in kindergarten. Fashion is my passion and I love getting to express myself through what I wear,” Hopkins said.

A hopeful up and coming designer herself, Hopkins intends to pursue a career in fashion after high school, which means applying to schools like the Fashion Institute of Technology (FITT) in Manhattan, NY and Stevens College in Columbia, MO.

“FITT does not require an ACT if you’re interested in design and fashion. I will submit a portfolio, where I design and create an outfit and a jacket,” Hopkins said.  

Hopkins cannot send in the physical creations themselves.  Instead she has to create them, take pictures of someone in them modeling and send in her sketches. Along with the portfolio you submit an essay and your transcripts.”

“For Stevens College, you need an ACT, transcript and recommendation, so they are kind of totally different applications,” Hopkins said.

Knowing that a student cannot become a famous fashion designer and business mogul overnight, Hopkins has been preparing herself for life after high school in the real world.

“I have taken all the clothing and fashion classes Parkway West has to offer, and I also get lessons from a sewing tutor. I spend a lot of time researching and staying up with the times because that is the best way I feel you can prepare yourself,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins’ central theme and inspiration comes from real life, and she creates designs that she would wear herself.

“I’ve sketched everything out for my portfolio, but haven’t created the actual pieces yet. The portfolio has a lot of black, grey and white—colors I usually wear,” Hopkins said. “I’m going to make a dress, which will be a lighter gray color, and then a white shirt. I came up with the ideas on what I think looks cool and what I would like to wear.”