KJ Means/The Collegian
NINA BANKS
campus editor
nina.banks@my.tccd.edu
Fashion designer Minnie Sevikul discussed her career in the fashion industry at an event that the SE Fine Arts department hosted on Oct. 12.
Instructor assistant Penelope Bisbee and associate professor of Art Jessica Battes-Grabowski organized Sevikul’s appearance at campus. Bisbee was glad to host events such as these to give students information about a wide range of career opportunities.
“I always think it’s just some good information about how your college career leads you, so that kind of practicalness,” Bisbee said. “When students can meet with someone who is doing it, that can be some sort of inspiration like ‘I was thinking about this, here is this person doing it, it’s doable, I can do it.’”
The presentation consisted of a timeline of Sevikul’s career within the fashion industry.
She immigrated from Thailand to Texas at 10 years old. As a young girl, she was very petite and had few choices of clothing. Paired with her interest in drawing, Sevikul began creating fashion designs from a young age.
Sevikul majored in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, specializing in childrenswear.
“Everyone [was] so talented there. You really have to compete and put your best foot forward,” Sevikul said.
After graduation, she began a career at Old Navy designing clothes in the childrenswear department. Sevikul described the responsibilities of her job and the process of getting a design to stores.
“One thing I like about childrenswear is that you can get away with a lot,” Sevikul said. “I love color and exploring different techniques. I liked the optimism, colorfulness, fabrication and texture you can use.”
Sevikul has since left Old Navy and discussed the pros and cons of working in a corporation.
“One of the reasons why I left was because I didn’t feel I was moving forward in my career as fast as I could,” Sevikul said. “I left fall of 2019 and took a little break because I felt a little burnt out as well. As a designer you’re always asked to be producing, and sometimes you get a creative burnout. I took a break and at the end of the day, I just felt like I don’t know if I can work in a corporate world again.”
She now works as a Visual Merchandising Manager for Kate Spade in Dallas.
“I am now the one that leads the floor,” Sevikul said. “Designers work with visual merchandising to know how products will be displayed in the store. I analyze what sells well and what doesn’t. I’m somewhat on the opposite end of design right now.”
SE student Isabelle Rico attended the presentation and felt fortunate to have access to diverse career resources.
“I’m glad TCC has these sorts of events because it gives those who are interested in the career a personal outlook on how to get into the field,” Rico said. “The presentation was very informative. I really like that she told us the reality of working in a big corporation and how difficult and intricate it can be.”
Sevikul noted how she wished she had resources and presentations such as these when she was in school and was glad to serve as a resource to students.
“I love being able to give information to a younger audience, especially when some people don’t know what they want to major in,” Sevikul said. “I just want to shed some light on what it’s like. I find that very helpful.”
