Anni Albers Scholar Learns by Doing

AAnni Albers Scholar Learns by Doing

Design students have a variety of options to gain hands-on experience in their chosen profession. Senior Liz Morrison, who is set to graduate in December, has made the most of her opportunities, whether on campus, in New York City or in Europe.

Morrison is an Anni Albers Scholar, a program through which students earn a B.S. in textile technology and a B.A. in art + design.

“The Anni Albers program is so diverse and you use both sides of your brain. We learn to include all factors in problem solving and you get exposure to so many different teachers that adds to your knowledge base,” she says.

During her studies, Morrison discovered that fabric construction and fabric manipulation were what she wanted as her focus. Fascinated by weaving, knitting, dying, digital printing and surface design, Morrison delved into the textiles and design of fashion.

Last summer, with many classes under her belt and after dabbling into the Art to Wear fashion shows as a co-director and designer, Morrison took an internship in New York City with fashion designer Anna Sui for two-anda-half months. Sui designs women’s wear for the young 20s and early 30s with an eclectic mix of styles and prints.

Although Morrison learned about the corporate environment there, the atmosphere did not lend itself to casual discussion at all. “It was very quiet,” she says.

Above: Behind the scenes at the Art To Wear 08 show. Left: Morrison with her father Eric S. Morrison.

Having worked with James Coviello as a client of Sui’s, Morrison asked if she could complete her internship with him.

“I could have input in his smaller shop,” adds Morrison. “He designs knitwear and women’s wear. I worked for one-and-a-half weeks with him on the resort and fall collection shows and in September, I flew back to New York to help with his and Anna Sui’s show.”

When Morrison returned to school for fall 2007, she got involved in the Art to Wear fashion show again, this time as director. Familiar with the show as a co-designer, designer and co-director in previous years, she found the whole process very exciting.

“I enjoy the problem-solving and it means I am not always doing the same thing,” she says. “Communication became a big part of the equation.” Many hours of work outside of class goes into producing the annual Art to Wear event, which boasted more than 2,500 guests this year.

“Since the first year I was involved, this was the best team yet behind the scenes,” smiles Morrison. She says the experience garnered from managing budgets and people is unmatched and truly valuable. Morrison has also gained valuable experience by studying abroad. She indicates she was “lucky enough to fill a vacant slot in a study abroad program in Florence, Italy,” at Lorenzo de Medici School from May 21 through June 22. While there, she took an Italian Renaissance and culture class and a fashion marketing class to earn six academic credits.

Being around people speaking French and Italian made her realize that she wants to become bilingual. “Textiles is really international, as textiles connects cultures and people,” Morrison said.

After graduation, Morrison will first attend the Inspired Design Conference in January and then travel to Europe with her mother. After attending Pitti Immagine Uomo, a huge, international menswear trade show in Florence, Italy, she hopes to help with Première Vision in Paris, mid-February.

Morrison’s path may then take her to New York, where she’d like to try to break into the fashion-textile world, or she might decide to stay in Europe.

Morrison’s favorite design from her collection at the Art To Wear 07 show.

Below: Two of Morrison’s photos of Venice.