Haitian-born student Tattiana Dorcelian felt the excitement of a famous designer on the runway of New York’s “Seven On Sixth,” after she received loud applause at the Martin Van Buren High School fashion show, for graduating students.
The 17-year old wowed students and parents alike with her chic Afro-centric collection of 12 skillfully crafted dresses, separates and a stunning evening gown cut from discarded newsprint.
With her sights set on attending the elite Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) this fall, Dorcelian who has completed three years of study at the Queens High School, said she was encouraged by her family to pursue her dream to become a fashion designer.
“ I am inspired by various cultures, this is how I create my own look,” said the fashion forward young lady who chose her grandmother as her muse to create a vintage collection.
Dorcelian’s instruction in class at first was not easy, because even though she loved to create great looks, she found it very difficult to draw. But with determination and the encouraging words of her family – ‘if you want something badly you have to work hard for it” the aspiring couturier succeeded.
“Dressing up is a way of me expressing myself through clothing. This is what I want to do. I hope to create pieces that people would like,” she added.
Kenneth Hutley who has been teaching fashion for 20 years, gave Dorcelian high marks for her creative work and praised the more that 50 students, some who will pursue degrees at FIT and other fashion schools.
Hutley, who graduated from Parsons School of Design and Leahman College, with Master’s Degrees in Fine Arts and Special Education teaches sketching and drawing. He said the four-year fashion class is a selective in the curriculum which includes Film, Three-D, Art Appreciation, and Fine Arts. Textile design and pattern making also equip the students to create their own style in mastering the art.
