With UT’s spring fashion show, Contour, quickly approaching, the senior Apparel Design students are furiously stitching to perfect the garments that will strut down the runway on April 19th. Each featured designer will present a final collection of three separate looks, which can include everything from digitally-printed dresses to carefully tailored pants, as well as an evening or bridal garment. With over 120 original designs being featured, this event draws approximately 5,000 attendees annually and is not one for style-enthusiasts to miss.

During the next few weeks, get to know these fashion-forward students on The Horn and get a behind the scenes look at their inspiration and plans for the future.

Name: Andi Conti
Major/Minor: Apparel Design
Hometown: Mansfield, Texas
Name of Collection: : Wrapped
Inspiration for Collection: The amazing, fun, confident women in my life!
Who Do You See Wearing These Garments? : Emma Stone!
Personal Fashion Idol(s) : Courtin-Clarins cousins, Sienna Miller, Mary Kate and Ashley…just to name a few
Describe Your Sense of Style: Comfortable, easy, colorful
Plans After Graduation: New York City!
Dream Job: The one that makes me money

Name: Sara Essoufi
Major/Minor: Apparel Design with a Business Foundations Certificate
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Name of Collection: Modern Femme
Inspiration for Collection: Contrasting really feminine qualities with strong, masculine lines
Who Do You See Wearing These Garments? Playful women who are in their 20s-40s, confident and bold
Personal Fashion Idol(s): Megan Fox, Audrina Patridge, Marc Jacobs, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kate Moss
Describe Your Sense of Style: Dark, urban, edgy, sophisticated, playful
Plans After Graduation: To work on my portfolio and move out of Austin for an industry job
Dream Job: To be Creative Director of a legendary fashion house like Gucci

Name: Chandler Hamilton
Major/Minor: Retail Merchandising and Apparel Design
Hometown: Argyle, Texas
Name of Collection: The Empowerment Line
Inspiration for Collection: My collection is Haitian inspired. It represents the strong, rugged, yet feminine spirits of the artisans I work with through Haitian Creations.
Who Do You See Wearing These Garments? A confident, laid-back gal with a free spirit and natural style. Her style is intuitive and relaxed.
Personal Fashion Idol(s): Harrison Koiwai
Describe Your Sense of Style: Simple, organic and feminine
Plans After Graduation: I will be moving to Haiti in September to work with Haitian Creations full time.
Dream Job: Any job where I am able to be creative and serve others I am excited to do

Name: Rebekah Hoffer
Major/Minor: Apparel Design
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
Name of Collection: Psychedelic Mushrooms
Inspiration for Collection: The form and contour of six different mushrooms and the function (decomposition). I showed this by juxtaposing transparent fabrics with opaque fabrics.
Who Do You See Wearing These Garments? A young, fun professional who isn’t afraid of color or her body. Nicki Minaj or Katy Perry.
Personal Fashion Idol(s): Betsey Johnson and Elsa Schiaparelli
Describe Your Sense of Style: Fun and colorful
Plans After Graduation: Interning in Austin with local designers and then the world!
Dream Job: Head designer of a company where I can design beautiful women’s apparel and not worry about the business side

Name: Sam Kidd
Major/Minor: Apparel Design
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Name of Collection: Sutra
Inspiration for Collection: Argentinean and Indian architecture. I wanted to incorporate geometric shapes and organic forms that harmoniously reflect the buildings. I wanted to explore new mediums and play with different proportions and textures.
Who Do You See Wearing These Garments? A 20-30-something New York woman who wants luxe separates that can be mixed and matched and taken from day to night
Personal Fashion Idol(s): Marc Jacobs is my favorite designer. I also love Riccardo Tisci and Alber Elbaz. As far as overall “idols” or “muses,” Diana Vreeland.
Describe Your Sense of Style: Sophisticated, classic yet modern
Plans After Graduation: The million dollar question! I plan on moving to New York and am on the prowl for a job in the fashion industry.
Dream Job: Anything creative that involves the integration of art and fashion

Name: Harrison Koiwai
Major/Minor: Apparel Design
Hometown: Pearland, Texas
Name of Collection: Jane
Inspiration for Collection: The collection is intended to be an exploration of identity based on my experiences growing up as a biracial person.
Who Do You See Wearing These Garments? A woman who doesn’t fear questioning conventions of beauty
Personal Fashion Idol(s): Daphne Guinness, Claudette Colbert, Dr. Michaela Quinn
Describe Your Sense of Style: Familiar, but a little off
Plans After Graduation: Interning and looking for a career in design
Dream Job: Cowboy M.D.

Name: Wendy Sandoval
Major/Minor: Apparel Design
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Name of Collection: Charisma
Inspiration for Collection: 60’s music, after parties, woman evoking, gossamer inspiring, provoking flirtatiousness for 22-33-year-olds to wear
Who Do You See Wearing These Garments? Women with intelligence and education who are supporting themselves and having the time of their lives doing whatever they want!
Personal Fashion Idol(s): Blake Lively, the Olsen twins, Dita von Teese, Zooey Deschanel, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani….
Describe Your Sense of Style: Feminine designs that are always elegant and have charm with modern aspects (like cuts and/or fabrics)
Plans After Graduation: Travel! Miami, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, once more back to Vegas and then who knows where
Dream Job: Being a part of the design or production team with Oscar de la Renta!