Thomas Edison said genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration, a statement with which “Project Runway” winner Seth Aaron would seem to agree.
Aaron came to inspire students as part of the Fashion Association of Merchandising and Design registered student organization’s Fashion Week on Thursday in the Education and Human Services Building’s French Auditorium.
“Five-and-a-half years ago I started sewing,” Aaron said. “I then sewed every day for 18 hours a day for a year-and-a-half.”Aaron tried out for “Project Runway” three times and received feedback and criticism from Tim Gunn, a judge on “Project Runway,” before making the cast of its seventh season.
“After auditioning I already could tell I was on the show before being officially told,” Aaron said. “I told myself I can do this, I can win this.”Aaron said honest feedback really helped him take the good and the bad and grow from it. Illinois freshman Jade Stansbury came to the lecture to see the designer in person.
“Seth Aaron is my favorite designer of all time,” Stansbury said. “Me and my roommates fought over who would win during season seven, and I won.”Before Aaron began his lecture, ten designers showed off one item from their line in an upcoming fashion show.
“Fashion Week is a week full of events dedicated to leading up to the Threads Fashion Show on Saturday,” said Alissa Berriman, student producer for the event. “We started this week this year to give students a chance to get to know our program.”The Orion senior said they chose Aaron to come because he is very innovative and unique among fashion designers.
“His advice will help them prepare for the real world and even possibly ‘Project Runway’ in the future,” Berriman said. Aaron said he grew up with a love for shopping “in his blood” which inspired him to become a self-taught fashion designer.
Ohio sophomore Michael Jarvis and Howell freshman Kailtin Slack, both Project Runway fans, came for their love of the show. “‘Project Runway’ is one of my favorite shows,” Jarvis said. “Sometimes when we’re bored we just go in my room and watch ‘Project Runway’ all day.”
Jarvis thinks Aaron is a good role model as a designer with breakout success. “He was probably once in our position so I think people can look up to him,” Jarvis said. Aaron shared his advice for the future professional designers. “When you would work for free, you know you love what you do,” Aaron said. “To get a big break, I’d suggest doing a lot of shows and getting recognition in any way.”