Spotlight
Red Jacket, Red Hot Future What was your favorite opportunity as an FCCLA member? A favorite opportunity of mine as an FCCLA member was running as a National Officer Candidate while serving as a NJ state officer. The experience prepared me for the unpredictable and challenged me to be uncomfortable. It really taught me a lot about myself in the process.
How did your FCCLA experience help you prepare for your career? Competing in state-wide fashion design events definitely helped prepare me for my career. These events allowed me to sharpen pattern-making and construction skills, taught me time management, and helped me see how to articulate through speaking what was in my head!
Why did you choose to go into the design industry? Lendrell Martin Technical Designer, Ann Taylor New York, NY
I chose to go into the design industry because I’ve always loved the language that clothing can provide! With that in mind, I wanted to be a part of helping people say something through their attire on a daily basis.
Where did you grow up, and what FCCLA chapter were you in?
What is your favorite part of your job?
I grew up Willingboro, NJ, and was involved in NJFCCLA at BCIT-Westampton.
My favorite part of my job is seeing a garment you worked on in the “real world” on someone who went to the store and spent their hard-earned money. To me, it’s a humbling experience to know the effort you and a team put into a product has been appreciated by a customer who identifies with an item.
What do you do? I am a technical designer, so I am responsible for communicating design, fit, and detail construction to agents and factories domestically and overseas.
What were some of your previous professional experiences? Previous professional experiences include working for companies such as JCPenney, Abercrombie & Fitch, Sorbara Furs, and Oscar de la Renta.
16 • Mar/Apr Jan/Feb 2018 2018
What is one piece of advice you’d give to a current FCCLA member who is pursuing a career in the design industry? Get involved in Competitive Events to help you identify potential areas of interest! It’s never too early to begin to hone your skills. Experiment and take classes to strengthen areas of weakness, as we all have them!