PenDragon - the official magazine of Lyford Cay International School PenDragon Vol 2, Spring 2016 | Page 24

ALUMNI NOTES
An Interview with Linnea Chisholm (LCIS Class of 2012, FIT ‘15)
By Cathy LeGrand, Librarian
After Linnea graduated from LCIS, she studied
fashion design for one year in Milan, Italy at the Nuova
Academia di Belle Arti Milano. In December 2015,
she completed an Associate degree at the Fashion
Institute of Technology (FIT), in New York City, USA
and is now working at the helm of her own design
company, LVC Design. In January 2016, she had her
very first fashion show, as one of two Bahamian
designers featured in the Fashion Showcase of the
Deltec Initiative for the Arts. Her “Atticka” collection
was designed specifically for this event. IB. College is much easier than it would have been
otherwise. The IB prepared me for the challenge. It
taught me the values of efficiency and balance.
What is it about fashion that interests you? What has been your best experience with
fashion?
What inspires your designs?
Ultimately, I make clothing that I want to wear. My
fashion is inspired by my home, The Bahamas. My
designs stand out from my classmates – their work
has more of an urban “New York” feel: black, white
and grey. My designs are colourful and flowing, more
free. My education in Milan and NYC has made me
think more “modern” and has changed my aesthetic
a bit. NYC has toned down the vibrancy of my work.
I was always interested in fashion and I had already done
some sewing with my mother, making simple things.
However, my interest in design really started at LCIS with
the Personal Project (The International Baccalaureate’s
Personal Project occurs in Grade 10. Students complete
an in-depth project in an area of passion and their work is
externally moderated to a global standard).
Probably having my very first fashion show as part of
the Deltec Initiative for the Arts. I designed my own
textiles for the line. Seeing the finished textiles that I
designed was also a great experience. Most fashion
designers don’t design their own textiles, but this line
would not have been my complete vision without my
textiles. They were the key. The textiles were inspired
Handbags are the simplest things to make. You don’t need
a pattern or to fit anything. I job shadowed at Bahama
Hand Prints and used some of their fabric to make two
envelope purses. As a closure, I made a button out of sea
glass wrapped in wire. Sea glass is now a recurring motif
in my designs. I also use it on my swimsuits.
I began selling bags while I was still a student at LCIS and
pretty quickly could not keep up with demand. After bags,
I moved on to designing and sewing swimsuits, then to
clothing.
I really enjoy the artistic part of fashion design. I like the
idea of making utilitarian art, wearable art. Fashion is
often associated with superficiality, but I think it is fun to
create art that people both like and use.
How else did LCIS help fuel your interest in
fashion?
Art was my favorite class in school and Mrs Illingworth
was inspirational. She made you feel like anything you
wanted was possible. She pulled out your creativity.
The first time I applied to FIT. I didn’t get in. But Mrs Illi
helped me to reapply and I got in on the second try.
I am really grateful for the academic rigour of the
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