From rough sketches to confidently stitched pieces, senior Milee Ressa has had a long journey with fashion design, filled with both creative highs and extended slumps along the way. Since first enrolling in the course as a sophomore, Ressa is now regarded as one of the strongest designers in the school. She is currently preparing to showcase her talents at the upcoming FCCLA competition in the spring, an opportunity that has encouraged her to grow as both a designer and a competitor.

Among other students in the program, it is evident that Ressa stands out for qualities that boost her potential as a designer. Martha Webb, Ressa’s former fashion design teacher and primary adviser, describes how her student’s persistence is a necessary quality when working in fashion design.

“When I saw her sketches, I knew right away she had talent,” Webb said. “She’s really outstanding, and she’s been through trial and error and has improved her skills simply because she has a desire to do so.”

Like many other designers, Ressa draws inspiration from her personal interests and hobbies. For her, a love of sketching has helped her discover an appreciation for classic styles of fashion, which she translates into her designs.

“I’m inspired by different decades of fashion — last year’s dress was mostly inspired by the ’80s, and this one is inspired by the ’50s,” Ressa said. “I’ve always loved the different decades and vintage fashion, and it’s something I want to incorporate into my work.”

Experiencing slumps can be one of the most frustrating but unavoidable challenges in a creative field. Although Ressa also struggles with this issue, she appears to be someone who “takes these challenges in stride,” as described by her adviser.

“I was really discouraged because I didn’t really do [the project] right, and after struggling to make my dress for multiple months leading up to the competition, I was also pretty self-conscious about my abilities,” Ressa said. “But once I saw the finished product, I knew it was something I was capable of doing.”

Despite moments of self-doubt, Ressa’s determination to improve sets her apart from many other students in the program. She often uses her setbacks to push her creativity further and refine her talents.

“What impressed me about Milee is that she wanted to figure it out for herself,” Webb said. “She wants to do it the right way. She wants to learn.”

Ressa hopes both her successes and struggles can reassure students that improvement comes with dedication. She shares advice she has learned over her years studying fashion design for students considering enrolling in the course.

“I would say just go for it because I was not prepared before I started the competition, and I knew I was kind of throwing myself into something completely new,” Ressa said. “As long as you have the motivation to actually do it and the passion for it, I think it’s very possible. Don’t let it intimidate you.”

With many new students entering the fashion design program, Webb hopes some will look to Ressa as a role model, much like she did to those before her. After high school, Ressa plans to attend cosmetology school to become a hairdresser but hopes to continue pursuing fashion with the goal of turning it into a potential career.

“Fashion design is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it’s also the most rewarding,” Ressa said.