Fashion Major Jesse Newton Can Design And Sew One Of A Kind Pieces In His Sleep

Jesse Newton’s unique collection pieces are available on Curtsy. Download the app to have access to Jesse’s designer collection now.

PS. Curtsy just launched at UGA. Curtsy lets you rent dresses from fashionistas at your school. Browse, rent and post dresses of your own to make extra CA$H. Download the app now.

Meet Jesse.

Jesse is a senior at Mississippi State University studying Fashion Design and Merchandising.   He’s a drum major in the Famous Maroon Band, a student ambassador for the National Retail Federation Student Association, and a member of the MSU Fashion Board.  It’s easy to say Jesse does it all.  This past summer, he interned in Moscow for a couture designer and had the time of his life.  He shared his experience with us.

Q: Jesse, how did you decide you wanted to intern for a fashion designer in Moscow?

It’s a crazy story.  I was applying for internships the entire Spring semester.  Well one evening, I was on Instagram [while taking a study break] and was scrolling through the Discover section.  I saw this beautiful model wearing a gorgeous fuchsia colored hat. I followed the link to the designer’s website, found an email address, and sent off my resume expecting to never hear from her again.

The morning after I sent the email, I woke up to an email from Iva saying that she’d like to have me…then she said I’d have to start applying for a Russian visa.

I soon realized I didn’t even look to see where she was located.  I just assumed she was out of New York City.  I went from no internship offer to an international couture offer in the blink of an eye.  I honestly felt like I was getting Punk’d!

During my internship I worked with gorgeous fabrics, created original designs, and did a ton of hand sewing.  There were several talented designers I worked with, but they didn’t speak any English.  We constantly communicated through Google translate and charades.  When we went to lunch, we would just smile at each other because we couldn’t talk.

I was able to take away a lot of the knowledge from my internship while preparing for Kansas City Fashion Week.  I’m so excited to be a featured designer for KCFW 2016.

There were several rounds of interviews, so I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity.  I’m doing a 14 piece collection and have been working on it a little every day.

Q: What were some of the most difficult things you’ve had to overcome while preparing for KCFW16?

Definitely time constraints.  Since I was in Russia for two months and unable to work on my collection, I’m having to work on my collection in my free time between school, work, and band.

Every time I finish making something, I put it on the dress form and go, “Wow, I can’t believe I made that!” It was literally a few years ago when I was struggling to just sew a straight line.

Q: Have you always had a passion for fashion design?

I didn’t know I wanted to be a fashion designer until 11th grade.  Having plans of being a corporate buyer, I signed up for the FDM program at MSU.  After taking my first design class, I realized I wanted to do fashion design for the rest of my life!

Q: Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years with your career?

I hope to see myself climbing the corporate ladder of the fashion world as an associate designer for a company that has the same values as myself.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to my Bulldog family: friends, professors, and mentors for always believing in me and inspiring me to be my very best.  None of this could be possible without the love and support of my family.  Thank you so much Mom, Dad, and Justin. Love y’all and Hail State.