Hoping to take the fashion world by storm, fourth-year fashion design student Sofia Varela ‘26 took the first step to her fashion debut by winning the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Fashion + Form + Function Show and Competition in the theme ‘Anything But Red’. Sofia’s fashion journey began by her grandmother’s side, observing the intricate movement of a sewing machine.

“My grandmother would sit me down, showing me what [she was] doing, and I would watch the sewing machine,” Sofia said. “I was really into it. My parents are so supportive. They bought me a sewing machine, took me to classes, enrolled me in the fashion program here at Westwood, and helped me expand my skills.” 

When approaching the prompt, Sofia tied the color red to the feeling of love and its corresponding Greek goddess, Aphrodite, also known by her Roman counterpart Venus. Sofia workshopped multiple concepts through a moodboard, inspiring her chosen color scheme, dress shape, and the overall elements of design. Transitioning into the step of creating a design sketch, Sofia went through multiple drafts until finally reaching a final sketch adapted to what was achievable for her skill level. 

“You take inspiration features and put it all together into a board,” Sofia said. “From there, you get your color scheme, and you get elements of design that you want to incorporate into the dress. Once I found something that I could do with my skill level. I created a croquis, which is a finished sketch.” 

Bringing her sketch to life, Sofia designed a mermaid-inspired pencil skirt with detailed beading and draping, alluding to Venus’s mythical birth from the sea. Sofia also incorporated authentic Indian silk provided by her family to create draped sleeves, producing the godlike structure she was looking for. 

“I unloaded everything and I put the pieces on the cotton fabric pattern that I made, cut it all out, sewed it all together, did a few fittings, adjusted anything that I needed to adjust, and then it was down to the detail,” Sofia said. “I had pictures of my garment, I had my mood board, and I had my sketches, and that is what I entered into the contest.”

As the sole designer of her competition piece, Sofia encountered multiple obstacles. This competition exposed her to new techniques when using silk and challenged her to increase her level of expertise in different elements, which required guidance from her mentors. Specifically, Sofia’s fashion teacher, Ms. Judy Chance, played a role in fostering Sofia’s success by making a design space and tools available to her.

“It was also kind of a different challenge because while having guidance, I wanted to see what I could [do] trying to reach a new level of a complete and finished look,” Sofia said. “I have to shout out Ms. Chance. She’s my fashion teacher and
she’s absolutely amazing. I think she has a very welcoming, open, and safe classroom.” 

Through this milestone competition, Sofia received a $2,000 scholarship to UIW in San Antonio, Texas. Though she will be attending a different school, this scholarship is a tangible representation of Sofia’s hard work and passion.

“The purpose of the competition was to get my work viewed, and even though I will be going to another school, those $2,000 represent my achievement,” Sofia said. “It made me feel like I can actually do this and that I am capable.”

Though leaving the competition with a title and scholarship, Sofia finds that the true value of the process was reaching a new level of design by embracing the creative space this competition provided. Through incorporating the cultural flair of India and mythical inspiration of love into her designs, Sofia is paving her path toward a greater fashion stage.

“I think it’s really important to think for yourself,” Sofia said. “It’s something you have to create on your own, and it’s not something that you can take from somewhere else. Just be unique.”