By John Olivares
Fashion design and merchandising student Christy Bui works through her busy schedule to build her signature collection, StellaMoon, as the end of the semester approaches.
StellaMoon represents the style of a young classy woman after college with an effortless, preppy personality, Bui said.
“I’d like to keep as much of it as a surprise, but I definitely put my heart and soul into it,” Bui said.
Students can look forward to viewing the nine-piece collection when it’s revealed on the runway May 29 in the Phillips Hall Theatre, at the annual college fashion show.
“Being part of this program has taught me so much at an industry-standard level,” Bui said. “I really have a chance of opening doors for myself.”
Moving from North Carolina three years ago, she never thought this department could be a path to a viable career. But Bui loves fashion.
Her mentor Lauren Yerkes, who is the Divisional Merchandise Manager at Revolve Clothing, gave her the idea to go with something heavily dramatic yet wearable.
“The sweater I’ve been knitting has a very unique pink seahorse on the front,” Bui added.
Bui’s desire to improve her skills in class hasn’t gone unrecognized. “I am really inspired by Christy. Her patience and perseverance to learn is unparalleled,” said Kyla Benson, professor of fashion design and merchandising.
The class meets just once a week for four hours, giving Bui little time to work at school. Purchasing her own sewing machine and fabric has made it a lot easier to work from home or in a friend’s office.
Bui has spent between $200 to $300 for the show and about $200 on the program, all while managing two jobs, an internship with Billabong and approximately 60 hours of long nighttime rehearsals. Bui continues her process knowing she may be close to creating a masterpiece.
“I’m lucky YouTube exists and that I have a book to help me,” Bui said.
Before joining the program, she tried broadcast journalism, business and biology. After much discussion with Rick Adams, a professor at Santiago Canyon College, she realized that fashion design was her passion.
Though she has no plans to design at the same pace after the show, Bui said she is thankful for the learning experience.
At times, she stays up late to finish homework and even misses her first class in the morning as part of the ongoing battle of carrying 20 units. With very little time to do anything but work and prep for the show, she finds that stress shopping is an easy way to pass the time.
“I hope that what I’ve designed is not too played out. I want everyone to want to wear StellaMoon, knowing that she’s an extension of who I am,”Bui said.
Bui will transfer to Cal Poly Pomona for fashion merchandising and design in the fall.
Presale tickets for the May 29 fashion show at Phillips Hall Theatre are $5 for students, and general admission is $10 or $15 at the door. Tickets can be bought at sac.edu/fashion or at the business office in the U-building.
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