During two decades in fashion, Parisian footwear designer Christian Louboutin’s sky-high stilettos have earned him the love and closet space of countless women.Stephanie Biggs, 17, Fort Wayne, high school junior, future fashion designer
How do you describe your personal style?
“That’s tough because I wear a lot of different things. I like to be really versatile and eclectic. I really like vintage clothing, but sometimes I like to go for the grunge look, with ripped up tights and boots. Then again, I still really like to look classic.”
You sew some of your own clothes. How did you get started?
“I saw in an US Weekly, Rachel Bilson. She was wearing this short, mini-sundress. And I just wanted it. I was like, ‘Mom. I have to have a dress like this.’ I couldn’t find one anywhere; my mom and I decided to make one. We went out and bought a pattern and fabric and made it.”
This summer, you interned at Elda De La Rosa Couture in Chicago. What did you do there?
“I was just a helping hand to her. I did a lot of beading. On the first day, I went in and she said, ‘Put beading on this wedding dress.’ And I had no idea what to do. It was a $2,000 wedding dress. It was beautiful, and I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh. I don’t want to mess this up.’ Everything was OK. She had another woman show me how to do it.”
Are you going to pursue fashion in college?
“I would love to go into fashion design. But I’m not sure if I’m good enough at it to make a living. But that would be a dream come true.”
Where do you shop?
“H&M, Forever 21. The Salvation Army on Fairfield (Avenue) is my favorite – I’ll go there if I feel like wearing something new the next day – and down on Calhoun (Street), St. Vincent de Paul is really good, too.”
What was your best fashion find?
“I have a Givenchy scarf that my aunt got when she was working at the Four Seasons. And then her daughter – who was about 4 years old – wrapped a present for me in it. I was so excited about it. I also have these vintage brown leather ankle boots I got for $1 at the Salvation Army. They tie up and are kind of pointed. Some people call them my elf shoes. I also have a Misfits T-shirt and I don’t even listen to the Misfits. But I found it and was like, ‘It’s grunge. I gotta have it!’ ”
