Apparel Design: Street Fashion

Apparel Design: Street Fashion is a teen fashion program developed by Ron Mirabueno (Parks & Recreation Teen Citywide Teen Programs), Talese Heckler (Program coordinator and fashion instructor), Victor Ramirez (Silk screen instructor), Jaizi Abendania (Lab instructor), Amber Croyle (Fashion design intern) and Martha Tonkin (Seattle Public School Instructor/Fashion Design & Merchandising classes).

This program was created in 2006 and offers students a realistic view of the fashion industry. This intensive program incorporates industry guest speakers, tours of local fashion companies, portfolio projects, internships, silk screen instruction, designing and sewing original garments and teen production of a fashion show. The program is free to participants, and all materials and supplies are provided.

Testimonials

“Talese Heckler's expertise, refined technical skills and professional work ethic are only surpassed by her passion, endless creativity, contagious enthusiasm and kind and nurturing spirit. I've never met someone with such a strong balance of knowledge and understanding of her craft and the ability to inspire others to seek such talents within themselves and in their own way.”  

– Ron Mirabeuno, Parks & Recreation Citywide Teen Programs

“I met Talese Heckler 3 years ago for fashion classes. She has taught me so much about fashion. She really goes into detail and teaches you all the parts of fashion. I have learned the way knits and wovens are made and the different fibers and processes of how they are used. Along with teaching me about fabrics she has taught me how to make mood and concept boards. She has taught me how to use different mediums, like water-colors, inks and markers for illustrating fashion.”  

– Lauren, Age 17

“Talese Heckler has been a constant source of inspiration and support for the Fashion Merchandising classes at West Seattle High School since 2007, when she first began coming into the classroom to offer workshops in fashion design, fashion illustration, trend prediction, merchandising techniques and to share "real talk" about what it's like to work in the fashion industry today.”  

– Martha Tonkin, Instructor: Marketing/DECA,
Fashion Merchandising, Photo, Web