From Sketch to Runway: Think Together Students Bring Fashion to Life
Students at Desert Hot Springs High School, in partnership with Think Together, are heading to Fashion Week El Paseo. Armed with vision boards, pin cushions, measuring tape, and sewing needles, they are preparing to showcase their designs at one of the largest fashion events on the West Coast.
This year, Think Together is thrilled to be named the benefiting charity for the event’s student evening on March 18, which will showcase couture designs from Instituto Marangoni Miami’s fashion students.
Through a collaboration with the Fashion 2 class at Desert Hot Springs High School, Think Together is helping bring students’ creative vision to life. They’ll be designing a single look based on their chosen theme: Magical Fairy Garden, which will be on display on March 18.
“The thought of being featured in Fashion Week El Paseo is huge. This is a great opportunity for the rest of the world to see that the students are amazing and that possibilities are endless,” said Rosa Esposito, fashion teacher at Desert Hot Springs High School. “Whatever they do in this class does not mean it’s just in here and they can take it outside of this class and beyond.”
This marks the first time an entire Fashion 2 class has had the opportunity to showcase their work at an event as esteemed as Fashion Week El Paseo.
“The overall collaboration between Think Together and the fashion class is to bring more resources and let the students know that they can go to college for certain things like this,” said Fiona Burns, Think Together Site Program Manager at Desert Hot Springs High School. “The collaboration also brings awareness to Desert Hot Springs and attracts more students to the opportunities Think Together offers.”
Students in the class are highly motivated to participate in this project, like twelfth-grade student Hailey, who has found a new side to herself during the design process.
“Being part of the fashion show is pretty cool and a good opportunity for everybody. The fashion class has inspired me to be more creative and more open with myself. Fashion is all kinds of designs, so when I have to create my own sketch, I know I can do it my way,” said Hailey.
In addition to the high school students’ fashion designs, Think Together’s fashion club at Raymond Cree Middle School is collaborating with the high schoolers to create matching jewelry pieces, from forest mushroom rings to butterfly necklaces. Seventh grader Caylynn is particularly excited to bring the Magical Fairy Garden theme to life with her unique jewelry creations.
“I’m mostly excited about making the designs in person, instead of just sketching it out. I love wearing jewelry, so I think it’d be interesting to make some of my own. I’m most excited to create the leaves I’ll be adding to my jewelry,” said Caylynn.
The students are working hard to ensure their designs are runway-ready for March 18. If you want to see their creations in person, there is still time to purchase tickets!
Envisioning a Brighter Tomorrow for Students
Think Together is proud to partner with school districts like Palm Springs Unified to expand our reach and provide students with opportunities to shine bright and explore their passions.
Currently, Think Together serves over 3,000 students daily in the Coachella Valley with academic support and additional programming like competitive sports, culinary programs, drivers’ education for high school students, and much more at no cost to families. Think Together has partnered with the Palm Springs Unified School District for four years and has worked to bridge the opportunity gap between students and resources they need to reach college and career paths like barbershop classes, Workforce Readiness and Employment Program (WREP), and sports programs.
“In high school, we know kids drop out because they weren’t connected to school. A program like Think Together really connects the kids and gets them excited to be here every day,” said Omar Tinoco, principal of Desert Hot Springs High School.
Together, Think Together hopes to continue to work with our school partners to help students break barriers through expanded learning opportunities that explore the worlds of arts, sports, and STEM.
