2019 Gumbo final - Book - Page 20
Agriculture
to
Fashion
"Go big or go home"
liberal arts.
athan Watson knew from a young age he wanted to be a
fashion designer, but he didn’t always know an agriculture
degree would take him there. Watson, who is a senior,
is pursuing a textiles-based major in the LSU College of
Agriculture, rather than attending a university that focuses on
“[At LSU] there’s an emphasis on the chemistry and textiles and how the
fabric feels,” Watson said. “Being able to communicate actually helped me
at Proenza so much knowing the folds of fabrics, the weights of fabrics,
specifically with the designers. Being able to communicate that because of
that science-based major helped me out [ten-fold], which I loved.”
Proenza Schouler is a well known womenswear brand, with clothing and
accessories ranging from $100 to $3,950. The company is a five-time
winner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America Award.
Watson was surprised to receive an internship with the company. He said
he applied to “unrealistic” internships because he knew he had to “go big
or go home.” He received a FaceTime interview with the company, which
praised Watson’s portfolio and believed he fit the brand very well.
He was the head design intern, with other interns working under him.
He also worked directly with designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro
Hernandez, who made their mark by working with Barneys New York.
Watson’s responsibilities included collaborating with the designers about
what kind of fabrics to use, understanding fabrics, seeing if shipments
needed to be sent to Italy and sewing runway samples.
“One thing I really liked was the way they designed,” Watson said. “They
pull a lot of vintage inspiration, so they’d do research for about 20 days day in and day out of the office.”
Watson also had the opportunity to work with Victoria Traina, a fashion
consultant for Proenza Schouler, helping to style for the upcoming
collection with a fellow intern.
“It was the most unbelievable experience I’ve ever had,” Watson said, “To
be able to watch two designers who are the most awarded designers in
fashion, seeing how they work and their creativity ... what sparks it.”
Watson said he was constantly ridiculed in the past. People told him he
was never going to make it, but he has always been very ambitious.
When Watson was a child, he loved playing dress-up with his sisters and
their dance costumes Being their stylist sparked his interest in fashion.
One of Watson’s fashion inspirations included Lady Gaga when she
became popular. Her "freshness" inspired him to begin sketching and
designing his own work.
Watson plans to go to New York City after graduation to pursue his dream
of having his own label. He wants to first learn how every major designer
designs so that he can create something no one has ever done before.
Story //Brittney Forbes
Photo // Reveille Photographer
Design // Catherine Carpenter
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