Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget Austin-Weiss.
Bridget, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began sewing when I was nine years old, and surprisingly, not by my choice. I was struggling to find a hobby that I enjoyed. I tried sports, dance, music- nothing seemed to work. That is when my mom heard about a local sewing studio and decided that to enroll me, knowing that I was super creative. I immediately fell in love with the art within my first lesson. I was fascinated with how you can create such beautiful garments out of any fabric. After taking years of lessons, and eventually becoming an instructor at the studio, I heard about auditions for a brand new show called Project Runway Junior, a spinoff of Project Runway. With the encouragement of my parents and mentor, Karen, I decided to go for it.
It was a grueling audition process. I had endless phone and Skype interviews, had to submit a YouTube video, and eventually went to New York to meet the producers. It was quite possibly one of the most stressful three months of my life, but when I got the call that I was an official cast member, I knew all my hard work had been paid off- I made the cut.
Like auditions, filming Project Runway Junior was a stress like no other. The big difference was the cast and crew. They were such a joy to be around. Everyone was so genuinely kind and supportive, which is unheard of in such a competitive field.
Although being on Project Runway Junior was an incredible experience, my mentor, Karen, along with the other talented people I learned to sew from have by far been the biggest influencers in my creative journey. She taught me how to sew, design, and make patterns. She was my biggest support and without her I would be in a different place.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest obstacle I have faced in my creative journey was fear. It is too easy to question yourself, and I experienced my fair share of creative insecurities. I would wonder if I was as talented or creative as my peers. It was a deep hole that I had to dig myself out of. Once I did though, I noticed how I began designing more, and with a newfound confidence. I also noticed how it brought on opportunities too. A great job teaching young women like me how to sew, Project Runway Junior, and commissioned pieces. Knowing who I am as a creator and staying true to it opened up many doors.
My biggest piece of advice for young women starting on their journey, is to take every opportunity you can. Don’t let doubt stand in your way of doing what you want.
What should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My work as a designer is constantly evolving- it’s hard to categorize it. I would say that my designs are for young up-and-coming women who want to wear something daring and out of the box. I use a lot of lace in my designs to have the element of sex appeal but I will also add silks to keep it soft and feminine.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
My inspiration tends to come from other designers in the industry. I love watching recent runway shows to see what these fashion houses are creating. I also love drawing inspiration from documentaries. I just saw “McQueen” and was in awe of how brilliant of a designer Lee is.
Contact Info:
- Email: bridget1317@gmail.com
- Instagram: bridgetaustinw
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