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Sewing Her Way to Stardom

Sewing Her Way to Stardom

Young designer Avery Danika is on the path to a huge career in fashion.

Avery Danika was destined to create fashion from the day she was born. The 17-year-old fashion designer comes from a long line of garment creators: her father enjoys sewing, her grandmother sews costumes for a local theatre company and is currently creating quilts for orphans in the Ukraine, her great-grandfather was in the fabric manufacturing business and her great-great-grandmother was a seamstress in England at the turn of the century.
The up-and-coming designer recently sat down with FASHION18 to talk about her talent, her future dreams and her own fashion must-haves.

FASHION18: How did you get involved in fashion and sewing?

Avery Danika: I’ve been sewing since I was eight. It’s always been important to me. I come from a line of people involved in fashion. I’ve always sewed.

F18: Describe your personal style.

A.D.: A little hipster mixed with lots of vintage.

F18: Who would you consider your fashion icon?

A.D.: In work, John Galliano—he’s my all-time favourite. He always has a fusion that doesn’t get junked up. I really relate to Betsey Johnson—fun and playful, yet wearable. And my mom. A lot of things that I wear come from her closet.

F18: What’s your biggest fashion obsession of the moment?

A.D.: Bows. And lines: monochromatic simple lines, but elegant and beautiful like Marc Jacobs.

F18: What is your current fashion must-have?

A.D.: A pair of tapered jeans. Shorts with a hem and a bow sash. A baby doll top with a bow. Wedges from Nine West, like 1940s-style dancing shoes.

F18: What can’t you leave home without?

A.D.: A cardigan. I have 24 cardigans.

F18: What is your beauty essential?

A.D.: I’m really obsessed with my lip-gloss ring. I wear it all the time.

F18: What are you reading right now?

A.D.: I’m trying to get my hands on a Chanel biography.

F18: What are you listening to right now?

A.D.: I love Beck.

F18: What are your summer plans?

A.D.: Sew lots for my wardrobe.

F18: What are your future fashion plans?

A.D.: Get through college, and then launch a small line of purses. And have a show at Fashion Week.

F18: What do you love about what you do?

A.D.: I love it all. I love the fabric—fresh fabric. I love creating beautiful things for girls.

F18: What do you hate about it?

A.D.: Sewing things incorrectly, and when a garment doesn’t turn out.

F18: What motto do you live by?

A.D.: My mom’s always said, “Tell yourself a little story, and talk yourself out of whatever negative thoughts you have.” I just try to take everything in stride.

By Jami Moran