Anyone who knows senior Aliyah Primich would tell you the same thing: she has an unmatched fashion sense. What people might not know from first glance, though, is that many of her most memorable clothing items were handmade. From sewing to crocheting, Primich uses her self-taught skills to create clothing to express her individualism and unique style. 

The beginning of Primich’s fashion journey started during the early pandemic. Eventually, this grew from an out-of-school hobby to being a part of her everyday life. As a student in Advanced Fashion Production 2, Primich can perfect her skills on the daily. 

“The first thing I made was a halter top from an old dress. Since then, I’ve learned how to draft patterns on my own, [and I’ve] improved my skills overall. I have a much better understanding of how sewing works and the simplest and most effective ways to make things,” Primich said. 

The process of creating an article of clothing is no simple task. Before any item can be made, a designer needs a well-thought-out plan and idea. Primich’s first step is to sketch out the project so she can visualize what is needed to create it. “What type of pattern is needed and how can it be created?” are just some of the questions she asks herself. 

“Then, I’ll either make a muslin mock up of the project if I’m making the pattern from scratch. If I’m using a pattern, I will cut out the pieces and sew. The longest part of the process is definitely the pattern part and tracing and cutting out all of the pieces,” Primich said. 

Primich began taking fashion at WCHS during her junior year with Fashion Production 1. Now, with more skill under her belt Advanced Fashion Production has allowed Primich to further develop her skills and solidify her sewing technique. Some of her class projects include a tote bag, a halter top, red plaid shorts and cow print shorts. 

“Aliyah’s strength is that she has the ability to see potential in anything, whether it is upcycling or creating her own items,” WCHS Fashion Production 1 and Advanced Fashion Production teacher, Tiffany Carmi said. “Aliyah will work diligently to create a quality garment and she is proud of the work.”

Fellow senior Tarina Amaralikit started Fashion Production in her junior year with Primich. Amaralikit and Primich are able to bounce ideas off of each other and share their continuous love for fashion in the class. 

“In class, Aliyah is always full of ideas and working on her projects. She’s one of the most passionate people in that class and she always wants to create,” Amaralikit said. “I am always inspired by Aliyah’s drive. She is always working and moving forward to the next step and thinking of the next big project.”

Primich has learned through class and her at-home projects just how special the fashion process is. 

“I can truly create whatever I desire and I can make things exactly how I want them. It also makes me really proud when people enjoy and appreciate what I’ve created,” Primich said. 

Primich is involved not only in fashion, but in all things art at WCHS. She is an asset to the musical theater department. Some of her involvement includes playing Alice Beineke in the WCHS production of The Addams Family, participating in Blast, and being the choreographer and Mrs. Wormwood in this upcoming fall production of Matilda. While she might have been doing theater for longer, her fashion skills do not go unnoticed and allow Primich to express her creativity in another outlet.

“Clothing allows me to be whoever I want to be and really allows me to express myself. It’s another creative outlet for me and allows me to be the most authentic version of myself. It allows me to be unapologetically loud and true to myself. It’s also really helped me grow my confidence and security in who I am and who I want to be,” Primich said. “I would definitely say clothing helped me find myself.”