Fashion Summer Alabama Showcases Top Student’s Designs

“I’ve always sewn and done things related to fashion,” said Unger. “I would take my dolls, and I would get my tee shirts and cut them up to make clothes for the dolls, so much that I didn’t have any tee shirts to wear anymore! I would always dress myself up as well. I started with hand-sewing on the dolls, but as I got older, my mom realized I could actually go into a career with fashion, so she got me a sewing machine when I was around 16.”

Seeking more experience in fashion and design, Unger joined a theater program as a costume designer, sewing most of the costumes. This role provided her with real-life experience in the field and confirmed her love of sewing.

Throughout her childhood and teenage years, Unger worked on many projects, including creating her own prom dress and pageant dresses for younger children.

When considering colleges, Unger thought about going into theatre costuming due to the lack of design programs at many smaller schools. However, upon learning about UNA, she discovered not only the possibility of earning a degree in fashion but also that they were launching a program specific to design, which excited her.