MODA Designer Profiles: Serina Wu

Every year, the MODA Fashion Show wraps up winter quarter with the perfect homage to student talent, hard work and creativity. In anticipation of the show, we will be interviewing MODA Designers. Meet Serina Wu, a 4th year Economics major and Classics minor.

1. What are some sources of inspiration for your collection this year?

I travel every summer, so anything from cultural artifacts and church floors to feelings I get from certain places and stories. 

2. Have you ever done fashion design work before? What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

I took classes in Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology during high school. I’ve been doodling designs in my free time ever since. They taught no sewing though, so figuring out a sewing machine and learning/practicing different techniques in DBC has been challenging. Making my first piece ever—a beret—was really rewarding, and bringing some of my own designs to life in the next few weeks will be even more so. 

3. Any other fun facts?

Because I couldn’t sew anything in high school, my friend Geige and I used to make dresses out of paper (and “model" them in embarrassingly conspicuous places—I really can’t believe I did that). This picture is from 2011 and the dress is made of magazine pages. 

4. What are you looking forward to most about the MODA Fashion Show?

Seeing everyone else’s pieces. And the general atmosphere of the show—there’s great energy both on and off the runway. 

All photos via Serina Wu