Tayler Carney

Honors Apparel Design & Merchandising Management

It all started with a sewing machine and a set of mini dress forms my aunt gave me when I was little. I have been figuring it out on my own ever since. My aunt, my grandma, and my parents each played a small part in getting me started and keeping me going, but this path has always been one I chose for myself. It was not until my first apparel design class in college that everything clicked and I knew, without a doubt, this was exactly where I was supposed to be.

During COVID, I got into upcycling, which kept my hands busy and my mind thinking about garments in a new way. That curiosity carried into college, and the more time I spent actually making things, the more my appreciation grew for how much skill and patience every single piece demands.

I tend to pull from a lot of different places when I design. Mixing unexpected elements is something I really enjoy, and the best part of any project is seeing the finished piece and knowing it brought someone joy.