This week’s Farmer Focus is on senior Essence Mitchell who is a hopeful fashion designer.

SNAPSHOTS

Books or movies: Movies

Favorite clothing brand: Dior

Pen or pencil: Pen

Neutral tones or bright colors: Neutral tones accented with bright colors

Favorite ice cream flavor: Cherry cheesecake

ZOOMING IN

Q: What do you plan on doing with your talent in the future?

A: “I plan to have a high fashion ethical and philanthropic clothing brand that causes more people to realize rather than just a pretentious industry, fashion is truly an art form and can help create good in the world.”

Q: What and/or who inspired you to start making your own clothes?

A: “Being small for my age all my life made me hate shopping. Everything that fit me was too juvenile. So I asked my grandma to teach me how to sew. Watching Project Runway with my mom sparked my interest in the design aspect.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about your passion?

A: “I love seeing an idea of mine come to life where it’s even better than the original thought I had. It makes me feel like all my fantastic dreams for the future could come to life too.”

Q: How much time on average does it take for you to make different garments?

A: “A formal dress takes about 24 to 80 plus hours. Pants take about six hours or less. I can’t even guess for a top since they vary a lot, and a skirt takes about six hours or less.”

Q: What are your interests aside from fashion?

A: “Cooking, singing and dancing, but only when I’m alone, [and also] poetry and film.”

Q: What factors do you consider when creating your original clothing?

A: “Usually nothing really, but if I’m designing for a specific person and event, I consider what would be appropriate for both.”

Q: What advice do you have for other people who want to design their own clothes?

A: “Be original/yourself, throw away your fears, break the rules and just do it.”