Austin School of Fashion Design is renowned for teaching the art of garment creation. But beyond technical skills, ASFD’s dynamic classes and caring instructors guide young minds through the entire fashion process.
When designer Ilonka Soto-Pelyvas moved to Austin in 2010, she was captivated by how much the city burst with creativity. With music ever-present in the air, Soto-Pelyvas found her new home to be fun and cosmopolitan, the perfect place to evolve her fashion career.
“I hardly believed back then that Austin was in Texas,” says Soto-Pelyvas. “I got myself involved with all opportunities to showcase my creative work as a designer—Art Bra, Fashionably Austin Pink Runway Show, Austin Fashion Week, and many other nonprofits and private clients. From there, my adventure started.”
Almost nine years ago, Soto-Pelyvas was proud to take over as owner and director of ASFD. Fueled by her own experiences from time spent in the world of fashion design, she has continued to emphasize to her students the importance of recognizing how hard work goes a long way in gaining success.
“The young children especially will experience an exciting journey from becoming best friends with the sewing machine to walking the runway showcasing their first creations. They get acquainted with fashion sketching, the designing process, cutting, and even pattern making,” says Soto-Pelyvas. “It’s a complete experience that helps them discover their passion.”
Whether a child enrolls in the intensive Academy for Young Designers program or attends a class for their birthday party, ASFD offers a nurturing environment where imagination can flourish.
Observing the success stories of students who started their fashion careers at ASFD is deeply fulfilling for Soto-Pelyvas. Some of those students now pursue their dreams at prestigious fashion schools in London and New York City. Others hold fashion jobs across the United States and Europe.
“A solid foundation and a calling discovered as a child has paved an exciting professional career for these young individuals,” says Soto-Pelyvas. “One extremely touching thing is to see my first Academy for Young Designers kids from when I just started the program in 2016 graduating from high school this year. It’s a milestone that shows me what a big part of the Austin community our school has become.”
If your child is a budding fashionista, visit academyforyoungdesigners.com or 9503 Research Blvd #250, Austin to learn more about Austin School of Fashion Design.
“Be realistic about how much work and dedication you need to put into this, born ideally from a genuine passion.”