About

MY STORY

Hi, I’m Jackson Oyler. I am a student from Virginia, Class of 2028, and fashion design has been part of my story for nearly as long as I can remember.

Before I had a sewing machine, I was already creating.

Creating has always been more than a hobby for me. It is how I express my imagination and explore what something could become. Long before I owned a sewing machine or understood how clothing was constructed, I was already finding possibilities in ordinary materials.

When I was in elementary school, my parents nicknamed me “MacGyver” because I was constantly collecting blankets, towels, string, chains and anything else I could find around the house. I could use the same few objects to create something different every time, from wearable harnesses to handmade jewelry. I did not think of it as fashion design then. I simply enjoyed transforming familiar materials into something new.

By middle school, I had taught myself how to crochet. I completed my first blanket, handbag and floral arrangements, learning patience and discovering how individual materials could be shaped into something functional and personal.

As I grew older, that curiosity became a serious interest in fashion design. I bought my first sewing machine, taught myself how to use it and began turning my sketches into garments. I also opened an online store and started sharing my work on social media. Every project has taught me more about construction, problem-solving and the persistence required to bring an idea to life.

What I love most about fashion is its ability to tell a story.

I am especially drawn to thrifting and upcycling because they allow me to see new potential in clothing and materials that might otherwise be overlooked. I enjoy working with denim, lace, chiffon, tulle, voile and other semi-transparent textiles.

My designs are influenced by classic vintage and bohemian styles, with an emphasis on texture, movement, layering and unexpected combinations.

Draw

Fashion figures, garment details and visual ideas.

Develop

Research, concepts, silhouettes, color and fabric.

Construct

Sewing, pattern work, fit and finished garments.

Present

A thoughtful portfolio that makes the process visible.

The moment the ideas became real.

During summer design classes at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, I strengthened my skills while studying art and constructing my first original dress and pair of shoes. Watching those ideas move from concept to finished pieces confirmed that fashion design is more than an interest for me. It is the future I want to pursue.

Looking toward 2028

Alongside my creative work, I am taking dual-enrollment courses and preparing academically for college. My goal is to study fashion design in New York, with the Fashion Institute of Technology as my first-choice school.

Until then, I will continue learning, sketching, sewing and building a portfolio that shows both my progress and my point of view.

“Fashion has been part of my life since childhood. Now I am working to turn that lifelong instinct to create into my future.”