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Roxanne Rodriguez Portfolio

A Photo Journey... My College Career as a Fashion Design Student

7/21/2017

7 Comments

 
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Here I am, pictured to the right, on the day of my college graduation, to the left is my dear college friend, Shanae. The two of us were honored as having the second highest GPA in our graduating class, a 3.95 GPA, and we both received the title of Class Salutatorian! October, 2015.
I began my full-time college career in the Fall of 2012, when I enrolled in the Fashion Design and Merchandising Bachelorette Program at The International Academy of Design and Technology, located in Sacramento, California. Years prior, I had attended a few semesters of college courses at Modesto Junior College, when I was a young lady, fresh out of high-school. Back then, I had no idea what I wanted to focus my studies on. At MJC, my listed major was Veterinary Science, yet I found myself loathing Math and Science courses. I soon found myself dropping what wasn't General Education, and adding several Art Classes instead.

​I recall, my guidance counselor called me into his office one afternoon, asking if I would like to change my major to Art. I was, after all, getting all A's in these classes, and not working at all towards completing required Veterinary Science courses. However, at the time I couldn't imagine any interesting career as an Art Major. When I expressed this to my guidance counselor, he replied, "I am an Art Major!" I am no fine artist, and becoming an Art Teacher, or a Junior College Guidance Counselor, did not sound very appealing. I soon dropped out of junior college, and began to work full-time instead.
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This is me, age 19, as a junior college student (definitely one of my "awkward stages"), and a magazine collage self-portrait project that I completed in one of my MJC Art Classes. Fall, 2001.
In the year 2011, at the age of 29, I unexpectedly lost my job at the Credit Union I had been working at for the past 9 years. Around the same time, I was gifted a brand new sewing machine, along with Sewing Lessons, from my Step-Mother, Kathy.

As I began to learn sewing techniques and how to read a commercial patterns, I fell in love with creating clothing. I wanted to learn more and more. I also found that sewing was an unexpected creative arts outlet that satisfied and challenged my artistic abilities. I had temporary employment with a construction company, and decided, maybe I should go back to school to start a career in a field that I actually would enjoy.
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I thought to myself, "Could there be such a thing as 'Sewing College'?" I Googled 'Sewing College', and (silly me!) Fashion Design popped up! This was the first time I ever thought of a career in Fashion.
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Myself and Mrs. Margie Duran, the woman who first taught me how to sew! Here we are at an award ceremony, in which I was awarded a scholarship from P.R.O.U.D. Modesto. October, 2014.
After researching Fashion Design programs available in the Northern California Area (there isn't many), I decided to attend IADT, in Sacramento. I attended this school full-time, taking an accelerated pace of courses, for the next three years. In May 2015, I graduated college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising. I was also honored as Class of 2015 Salutatorian, earning the second highest GPA of my graduating class, a 3.95 GPA. In 2015, I was the first person in my family to earn a Bachelors Degree.

During the three years I attended college full-time, I learned more than I could have imagined regarding Sewing Construction, Pattern Making, Fashion Research, Trend Forecasting, Apparel Manufacturing, Global Sourcing, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Fashion Illustration, starting my own business, creating my first clothing line, and more! The professors I learned from where truly amazing, and either were, or had been professionals in one of these fields.
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Here I am in the IADT Sewing Lab!
As a student, I took many photos on campus, as I worked on, and completed my assigned projects. Recently, I was looking though the photos that I had taken during this time, and I wanted to share some of my favorite photos with you, my dear reader!

I hope that you will enjoy visualizing the life of a fashion design student by viewing the following photos!
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This is me, taking a Sewing Lab Selfie!
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A foggy day in Sacramento, California.
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Dress forms, a Fashion Design Essential!
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I wore heels every day to school... now my feet hate me!
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My first Fashion Illustration project, where I had to design three new looks based on a famous fashion designer's previous collection. I choose the wonderful, Yves Saint Laurent!
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Lessons in Proportion. I really needed these lessons and the many hours of practice!!
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Getting better!
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Pattern Drafting!
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Selfie: from the knee down. Gotta love the color and texture combinations of this outfit!
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This is me, at school, wearing a skirt I made!
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Fashion Illustration practice: Brainstorm.
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Creating a Muslin Sample of a Basic Bodice.
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Juki
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My drawing of Elvis, in pastels.
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Pattern Making Class...
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So many rulers! And I use them all!
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Fashion Illustration: a Dick Tracy Themed outfit...
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Fashion Illustrations: Dick Tracy Theme
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Dress forms are everywhere
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Fashion Illustration: practice, practice, practice...
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Historical Costume Illustration: Pick a historical art work, re-draw it, then draw a fashion Illustration inspired by chosen artwork
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Historical Costume Illustration: Pick a historical art work, re-draw it, then draw a fashion Illustration inspired by chosen artwork
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A room full of dress forms...
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A walk down the hallway... "Did someone drop their lips?"
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Creating a new dress!
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Free Donut and Hot Chocolate Day!
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Fish Eye Darts, and Bishop Sleeves!
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My attempt at drawing Zac Posen...
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Fashion Illustration: Men's Wear
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First one to class... and usually the last one to leave.
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Fashion Illustration: Watercolors
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Clothing Construction: Making a Pair of Shorts
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Clothing Construction: Pocket Details
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Fashion Illustrations
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My book bag, and sharpie box... Gone with the Wind Forever!
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This is me!
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Homework
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Clothing Construction: Men's Shirt
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Clothing Construction: Pocket Details
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Clothing Construction: Hoodie Making Fabric
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Clothing Construction: The Making of a Hoodie
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English Mid-Term Graded: with the professor's feedback on my margin doodles...
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Dress Forms in all shapes and sizes.
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Custom Stripes!
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My first mini-collection!
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Here I am receiving a Presidents List Award for earning straight A's during a particular term, presented by my school's Dean.
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Crop Top Pattern Draping
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The making of a Crop Top
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Vision Board, Sketches, and Research!
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The first dress I made for myself!
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Art History Project: Hand-Painted Minoan Inspired Skirt (in progress)
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Art History Project: Hand-Painted Minoan Inspired Skirt (in progress)
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Art History Project: Hand-Painted Minoan Inspired Skirt (all done!)
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A row of 8's...
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Lessons in Textiles: Crochet Practice
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Pattern Drafting
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A dress I made using Mexican Textiles! My two classmates, are my model, and photographer. I was also practicing knitting that day...
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My designs!
I hope you enjoyed this photo collection glimpse into my daily life attending college as a fashion design student! Tell me which photo or photos you enjoyed the most by sending me a comment!

To see what I've been creating since college, check out, and follow, my Official Instagram by clicking
HERE.
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My classmates and I on our last day of college! We did it!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!
Related Links: 
A Look Back: Summer 2015
My Sewing Journal: Creating a Minoan Hand-Painted Skirt 
Guest Speaking at California State University Sacramento- Summer Fashion Academy 2018
7 Comments
Randy Rowden link
5/23/2020 12:37:24 pm

This has been an inspiring blog to read.The pictures took me on the journey with you. My daughter Tiendres graduated with you and brought you on board to work with me in the Men's Tailoring business. You came along when I needed help bad. We had just acquired the U C Berkeley contract to tailor suits for the entire Cal Bears football team about 120 players. It was your skills as an organizer and computer wiz that made it all possible. We have been using the structured format that you created for us for the past four years. You learned to be my partner and store manager. We miss you here at the Oxford Way Tailoring Men's Clothing Store 6219 Shattuck Ave. You have found your niche the career you were designed for. I have no doubt you will make your mark in the fashion industry. You already have in the eyes of The Oxford Way and your Tailoring Mentor, Rev. Randy Rowden.

Reply
Roxanne
5/23/2020 12:43:21 pm

Thank you so much, Randy for all of your kind words! You have been an amazing mentor and friend to me! Much love to you, and your family!

Reply
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9/8/2020 03:43:31 am

This roxannerodriguezportfolio blog has been sharing us more updates on a photo journey and my college career as a fashion design student. Making more custom reviews and professional writing services as well.

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12/31/2021 04:02:50 am

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12/6/2022 04:33:16 pm

Congratulations for the successful article. I can't wait for the sequel.

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mrbahis link
12/8/2022 04:49:07 pm

This is nice work. Seeing good works on good days gives one peace of mind.

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12/10/2022 05:05:39 am

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    Author

    Hello Readers! Welcome to my Blog! I am Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, a Fashion Designer from Northern California. I love all things Fashion, particularly historical fashion! Join me, as I take you around Northern California, covering fashion events and related topics!

    Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising.

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