Today in Teen Services, we have fashion on the mind. Why? Because in just a week, we'll have a very special fashion-forward guest coming to TADL: Tarra Warnes!
Tarra is super excited to chat with everyone, and we hope you're excited too! This fashion designer is a TC native known for Lookabout Swimwear, her brand of swimsuits inspired by Northern Michigan and the Great Lakes. She'll bring not only real-world experience, but also share examples of her work and what it took to make them.
Sign up here to talk with Tarra about her life as a fashion designer if you:
- Love the world of fashion!
- Are interested in becoming a fashion designer!
- Love meeting cool new people!
- Just want to keep up with the latest TC fashion trends!
You're welcome to bring family, friends, or fellow fashion afficionados, so stop on by-- we'd love to meet future TC fashion designers!
Tarra is our favorite real-world fashionista, which got us thinking about our favorite fictional ones! These fashion-loving characters are fashion models and designers, each with their own unique personalities and charms that have us hooked!
So without further ado, it's time to introduce our 3 favorite fashionistas in the world of YA...!
Lady Crystallia: AKA "Fashion Royalty"
Lady Crystallia is the most fabulous fashion icon in Paris, known for her daring dresses and bold sense of fashion. But this beautiful model has a secret-- she's actually a he! He's actually Prince Sebastian, a royal who uses fashion as an escape from the stress of his normal life. With the help of his dressmaker friend Frances, Prince Sebastian loves to show off his sense of style in dazzling avant-garde creations and embrace the persona of Lady Crystallia.
Read about Prince Sebastian/Lady Crystallia in Jen Wang's graphic novel The Prince and the Dressmaker.
Star Factor: Genderfluid/crossdressing representation and beautiful artwork!
Kimi Nakamura: AKA "The Dreamer"
Kimi Nakamura is a Japanese-American fashion designer who loves making bold 'Kimi Originals', unique outfits inspired by everyday objects. Kimi's designs are influenced by her environment and lived experiences, so when she visits her grandparents in Kyoto for the first time she's instantly inspired by all the beauty of Japan and its culture, including cherry blossoms, shrine visits, and of course mochi. Readers will love to tag along with Kimi on her journey as she embraces her culture, creates unique fashion designs, and forms new bonds with her family and her new crush.
Read Kimi's story in I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn.
Star Factor: Touching relationships and great Japanese representation!
Noah: AKA "The Visionary"
Noah has always known he wants to pursue a career in costume design. The only problem? His parents would never approve! This aspiring fashion designer is great at sewing and has a knack for crafting cosplay for his friend Azarie. Noah dreams of creating costumes for movies on the big screen with costumes fit for the best celebrity actors to wear. Noah's greatest strength is his affinity for textile arts, with his fun fabrics and textures incorporated into each of the outfits he creates.
Read about Noah in Needle and Thread by David Pinckney.
Star Factor: Great friendship and mentions of cosplay/comic cons!