Zoe Ilana Grinfeld is currently a sophomore at the Rhode Island School of Design majoring in apparel design. At 15, she competed on and won the teen design competition, Project Runway: Threads. Her designs have been shown in Manhattan; Brooklyn; Hartford, Conn., and Providence as well as in Seventeen magazine and Hartford Magazine features. Earlier this year she competed in the Styleweek Northeast SEED Design Competition in Providence.
PBN: How did you first become interested in the fashion-design industry?
GRINFELD: Creating has always been a huge part of my life. I was sketching designs before I even knew how to write my name. From the beginning, fashion design has been my only career focus. I’ve always been drawn to the fast-paced nature of the industry and the creative problem-solving that comes with it.
PBN: You were a participant on Project Runway: Threads – a teen version of the popular TV show, “Project Runway” – what did this experience teach you about the industry?
GRINFELD: Winning Project Runway: Threads really gave me the confidence boost I needed to pursue fashion design as a career. Having professionals in the fashion industry tell me I was doing something right made all the stress worth it. The experience taught me to think outside of the box and not be afraid to accept criticism.
PBN: More recently, you participated in the 2017 Styleweek Northeast SEED Design Competition submitting a three-piece wardrobe for judgment. What inspired your mini collection?
GRINFELD: The SEED challenge was such a phenomenal learning experience as well as a great showcasing opportunity. My minicollection was influenced by 1970s silhouettes. I found this amazing upholstery fabric at a local fabric store and based the materials for the collection around that, playing with a range of fall colors.
PBN: What is your career trajectory after you graduate from Rhode Island School of Design?
GRINFELD: There are a lot of different directions I am looking at right now. I want to stay on the fine-arts side of fashion versus the commercial end and am currently looking into artist residencies and internships for the summer, but I’m still figuring out a solid [postgraduate] plan.
PBN: How has studying at RISD set you apart from other prospective fashion designers your age?
GRINFELD: RISD takes an extremely creative and experimental approach to design, which is one of the main reasons I was drawn to their program when applying to college. I think RISD has set me apart from other prospective fashion designers my age because it has helped me grow so much as a thinker, an artist and a maker in such a short amount of time.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
