Caroline MacDonald didn’t set out to become a fashion designer.
In fact, the Oregon native and Marymount University senior began her career as a ballerina, performing in ballet companies across the country. However, she changed course and pursued higher education in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the performing arts scene.
“I wanted to continue to work in the arts and do something creative, and fashion stood out to me as a way to do that,” MacDonald said. “But I didn’t want to go to New York and be in a highly cutthroat environment, since ballet is already so much like that. I wanted to end up somewhere that I could learn and grow, and Marymount was one of the schools that caught my attention. I sat in on a few classes, loved it and decided this is where I wanted to get my education.”
Marymount’s 2024 Portfolio in Motion: Soiree and then again at DC Fashion Week (courtesy of Phelan Marc)
With rudimentary drawing and sewing abilities, MacDonald enrolled in Marymount’s Fashion Design program and learned to channel her creativity into design.
“When I started, I had some knowledge of the fashion world and some fine arts skills but not much else,” she explained. “Marymount’s program filled in the gaps for me. I learned so much and it has been an amazing experience.”
While at Marymount, MacDonald founded Allons•y Designs, a label that creates runway-worthy, ready-to-wear fashion. Now a fourth-year student and business owner, she took on a new challenge — DC Fashion Week. She was one of only nine local designers accepted into the DC Metropolitan Emerging Designers Showcase, alongside a former Marymount student, Annie Pacious ‘24, whose designs appeared on the Living Local DMV segment on DC News Now.
From June to September, MacDonald said life was a “flurry of activity” as she cast models, designed and sewed six new garments and began her senior year at Marymount. Although she was nervous about having her first collection appear at a professional runway show, she felt prepared thanks to her experience with Marymount’s Portfolio in Motion (PIM) annual fashion showcase.
“Having runway experience from PIM helped me know what to expect going into the DC Fashion Week show,” MacDonald said. “I’ve modeled for PIM twice and have been pretty involved in the behind-the-scenes process every year. There were a few surprises, but PIM created a realistic environment — a crash course for this runway show!”
She says while the Emerging Designers Showcase was stressful, it was an exciting opportunity.
“There was so much going on and so much to coordinate,” MacDonald reflected. “But I found a supportive environment among all the designers. Everyone was nice, wanting to hear about my designs and the fabric and offering help however they could. In the end, it turned out to be fun!”
She was particularly excited about the chance to showcase sustainability in fashion, particularly with pieces like her “low-waste” Gardenia pants. MacDonald, who previously published a research paper on sustainability in the textile industry in the National Collegiate Honors Council’s Undergraduate Research Journal, says she always considers sustainability when creating garments.
“I have a sustainability minor at Marymount and am very conscious of trying to create green designs. There’s a lot of waste in the garment creation process, so I try to create silhouettes that create less extra scraps, clothes that will last a long time and pieces that can be used year-round, not just in one season.”
MacDonald received glowing feedback from those attending the show and the other showcase designers.
“Everyone wanted my card, and a few people were interested in purchasing pieces they saw on the show! It was amazing, and I think this will be great for my business. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.”
She hopes to continue growing her business after graduation and would “love to see people wearing my designs out and about.” She also plans on giving back to the Marymount community as a fashion alumna.
“I’d love to return and share what I’ve learned from the program. I would also love to hire interns and assistants from the fashion program once the company grows. I hope to use all of my connections and experience to continue supporting fashion students at Marymount and really pay it forward.”
Julia Ravindran, Associate Professor of Fashion Design in Marymount’s School of Design and Art, emphasized how exciting this opportunity is not just for MacDonald but for Marymount’s fashion program as a whole.
“Having a Marymount fashion designer showcase her collection at DC Fashion Week is a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about the quality and potential of our fashion program,” Ravindran said. “It highlights the creativity and talent of our students, showcasing their hard work and dedication on a national stage.”
