As homecoming season rolls around it’s inevitable to see people have the same dress, but not for Riley Kutnyak.

Riley Kutnyak is a senior at SJHHS, she has a clear talent in fashion design making all of her dresses since her sophomore year.

Being a creative person, Kutnyak got curious about sewing in seventh grade. She was first introduced to sewing by her mother.

“My mom kinda sews she sews all the pillows and covers in our house so I kinda got it from her”

Her interest progressed from watching YouTube videos on fashion and sewing. She started learning how to sew and assemble clothing together through video tutorials.

Through time and love for the hobby Kutnyak was making dresses by eighth grade.

Kutnyaks starts her dress making process with scrolling for inspiration.

“First I find [inspo], finding out what kind of dresses I like, usually through Pinterest or the internet,” said Kutnyak.

She follows that with turning her concepts into sketches. Sketching is a fundamental part of any art, sketching allows people to experiment with ideas. 

“I usually start sketching on my ipad and then I sketch them in my journal,” said Kutnyak.

Next she picks out fabrics. Deciding between what material, from cotton to silk and figuring out a color palette. To experiment with dress designs and seeing what goes well together. She uses cut out pieces of paper to envision what the dress will come out to be. 

“I take paper and I make a pattern for the dresses then I cut it out. Then I put it together,” said Kutnyak.

To Kutnyak she defines her relationship to dress making as a creative outlet.

“Dress making is a creative outlet for me it is one way I am able to express myself. Dress making makes me happy, and when I’m wearing one of my creations it puts me at ease and makes me feel confident,” said Kutnyak.