Fashion star

CSHS senior Savannah Bischoff wins 1st place fashion award at state FCCLA competition

BREMEN, Ala. – Earlier this month, Cold Springs High School students attended the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference in Montgomery. The students heard guest speakers, attended breakout sessions and competed in the FCCLA STAR Events Competition. A few of those students placed first in their respective categories. One of them is Savannah Bischoff, who placed first in the Fashion Design, Level 3 Category.

CSHS FCCLA Sponsor Stephanie Blair recently told The Tribune that she and her students have been working on the FCCLA STAR Events Competition since October. She said that Cold Springs FCCLA students returned with five gold and four silver medals this year. Five students qualified to compete at the FCCLA National Conference in Orlando this summer. The top two highest scores from each category won a bid to attend Nationals.

Senior Bischoff, 17, said, “I had to create a fashion label — Savvy Styles — with a collection ‘Shine’ of four designs. I had to construct a sample garment, put together a portfolio documenting the process including information such as fabric swatches, inspiration, marketing, etc., and present my work to judges.”

Bischoff’s design is a floor-length, three-tier ballgown made of satin, chiffon, tulle and cotton.

“It is inspired by the dress worn by Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour, altering elements to make it more practical for a formal event such as prom,” she said. “I won first place in my category, allowing me to advance to Nationals. I won a gold medal by earning a perfect score of 100.”

On July 4, she will leave for the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, where she will compete against the top two in her category from each state. 

“This is a week-long trip that I will go on with my FCCLA chapter and advisor,” Bischoff said. “I have been sewing ever since I was little. My grandmother on my dad’s side taught me how to sew and instilled this love for fashion in me. We would make simple projects such as pillowcases and doll dresses. When I joined FCCLA in ninth grade, I knew that I wanted to compete in the Fashion Design Category. I first competed in Fashion Design in 10th grade and my skills have advanced greatly since then. My grandmother on my mom’s side has helped me to sew as well.”

Bischoff said she wanted to thank Blair for her dedication to FCCLA and all the help she provides her and other students.

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