Written by Kelsie Davis.
Fashion folks are social and love every aspect of attending events and supporting our industry. It’s a fact that every Austin fashion brand and business has been affected by the pandemic and forced to make some challenging business decisions since Spring. But for one local business, things are looking up.
The Austin School of Fashion Design owner Ilonka Soto-Pelyvas knows the 2020 journey to keep her business open has indeed been challenging. So to augment lost tuition the school utilized their sewing and designer skills and sold facemasks and introduced classes to the public. “I don’t think in my wildest dreams I could have ever imagined something so difficult for business”, Ilonka said.
The school also made a major change and moved north to their new location at Wolf Ranch Town Center in Georgetown in September. The students have been very adaptive to the new times, and they have taken a new liking to the studio. “It’s been a very big change and everybody has been really welcoming,” I
lonka said.
The enrolled students have also been busy creating an original design and for the school’s Fashion Challenge. For the challenge, the students were given two yards of white fabric and asked to make a design of their choice. The winner will receive a full Academy program scholarship, valued at $800.00.
Ilonka says this is a fantastic exercise to utilize the student’s creativity as well as teaching students fashion history different designers and respective aesthetic. “We always like to encourage and empower the children, whatever the age,” Ilonka said.
The new school is located in the Wolf Ranch Town Center at 1015 W. University Ave., Ste. 507, Georgetown. 920-345-6652.
Photos provided by Austin School of Fashion Design