Kasia Wisniewski’s Bright Future in Fashion

Since graduating from Milwaukee High School of the Arts in 2006, KasiaWisniewski’s career has been escalating at a steady pace. Scoring high in both academics and artistic vision helped her to earn multiple Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) awards, as well as the FSF Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Award. Such achievements allow her to rub shoulders with industry elites while majoring in fashion design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., and working in fashion as an intern for Vera Wang.

How has your experience with Vera Wang helped to shape your brand?

I’ve had an opportunity to be involved with many aspects of the design process. Working at one of the premier bridal companies in the world has given me a chance to observe an iconic brand develop and match the needs of their customers.

How would you describe your style of bridal gown?

My current selection is very detailed, but streamlined and modern with an Art Deco, Art Nouveau undertone inspired by Alphonse Mucha’swork.

What doors did the FSF Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Award open for you?

It granted me an avenue to present my work to a group of notable people in the fashion industry. Some of them continue to mentor me as I move to the next phase of my career. Since last May, it’s been crazy and intense, but I’ve been able to stretch my business and analyze what I normally do in my design classes.

What do you think is the story in fashion for 2010?

Pales are popular right now. The soft and subtle hues contrast with the tough, masculine, rock ’n’ roll thing that’s going on in sportswear.

If you could outfit a celebrity, who would it be?

I’m drawn to actresses with that old, classy Hollywood aura, like Anne Hathaway and Kate Winslet, who have impeccable style.

What do you think of Milwaukee’s fashion culture?

I became aware of the indie fashion scene in seventh grade through designers like Fashion Ninja, Areka Ikeler. The burgeoning Milwaukee fashion scene inspired my case study for the Geoffrey Beene scholarship. Milwaukee is special because it’s so DIY. The community is deeply connected and supportive, which is rare in an industry that is extremely competitive.