Stitching Success: Local High School Senior Receives Scholarship To Study Fashion Design

UNION COUNTY, NC — From the drawing board, to the sewing machine, to the final masterpiece –  Allie Albrecht is poised to leave her mark in the fashion world.  

“It all started so fast. I just started sewing. I feel like yesterday but it’s already my senior year,” Albrecht said. 

The Porter Ridge High School senior has had a passion for fashion from a young age. 

It’s now blossomed into her becoming an aspiring fashion designer. 

“It’s really empowering that I can just think of a dress that I want and not have to stress about if it’s in stock or if it’s in my size or if it’s going to fit.

She even started her high school’s first apparel club inspiring a community of young designers.

“I was like how fun would it be if we just meet after school and I teach people how to sew and we just do something fun with it, but also do something fun for the school and upcycle which is tearing old clothes into new ones or using old materials for new things which i love to do.”

She showcases her design on TikTok with many of her videos garnering thousands of views, but her journey has come with challenges. 

Some people discouraging her from pursuing a career in fashion design. . 

“I always struggled with being told that I need to have a practical career later in life and anything in the arts wasn’t going to be something,” Albrecht said. 

However, Albrecht  is changing the narrative on a “practical career”  by earning a full  scholarship to NC State to study fashion and textile design – one day hoping to start her own brand.

“I hope that amazes other people and shows them it is possible and you don’t just have to follow the career path that everyone tells you is going to be most practical for you. Whatever your dream is and whatever your goals are they are possible if you just put the work in for it,” Albrecht said.