Spinning New Threads

**Beyond Chic** / Fashion Design students Kelly Prinzing (left) and Chloe Reeves sell their homework at the Don Bookstore. / **Liz Monroy** / el Don

By Joanna Meza

Last month, the Don Bookstore expanded its wardrobe inventory beyond college sweaters, T-shirts and ball caps. The new collection ranges from silky scarves to flowing camisoles, and is part of a clothing line brought in by Santa Ana College fashion students.

“Right now in the creative world you have to have a lot of knowledge and experience,” sophomore fashion student Kelly Prinzing said. “It builds up my confidence.”

Besides making up a part of their class grade, the semester-long project also gave students the chance to gain hands-on experience in the fashion business.

After completing their research, the class traveled to a wholesale market in L.A. to purchase the merchandise, negotiate prices, write out orders and look at company lines before deciding what to buy.

Instructor Rachael Libolt introduced the idea to the fashion department last year.

“We’ve been completely supportive, the whole fashion department. We love it,” said Kyla Benson, department chair for fashion design and merchandising.

This is the second time the class has done the project, though last year they weren’t as successful.

This year, the students have advertised by blasting the project on social media.

Proceeds will go towards purchasing new sewing machines and computers for the fashion department.