A Little Bit About Me.

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Art has always been a passion of mine. Along with running , indulging in good food and writing. Since I was small I have written stories, colored pictures and altered  the dress-up clothes. 



Born and raised in Minnesota, USA, I attended the Minnesota Waldorf School for Pre-School, Kindergarden and First through Eighth grade. The Waldorf education system "strives to develop a child's full human potential by building on the child's natural curiosity, sense of wonder and love of learning, the whole child is educated-body, mind and spirit." The academic curriculum is composed of an integration of culture, scientific method and the social life of humanity. In an environment of care and respect, the educator presents each lesson in a "lively, imaginative way, using artistic methods to expand and deepen the child's experience of learning." (http://mnwaldorf.org/) The Waldorf school allowed me to express my artistic tendencies regularly and further develop them. Among other lessons, I was educated in the violin, voice, dance, knitting, crochet, felting, sewing, maths, science, history, french and  art in all possible mediums over the years. My early development, as not only an artist, but an individual capable of clear, creative thought and expression, possessing the self confidence to take on the challenges of the transforming world around us, was most definitely stimulated by an education at Waldorf, as well as my loving, nurturing and motivational parents. 



For my high school years, I attended Mounds View High School, a large public school. Here I continued to take as many art classes as possible, in addition to all of the required core classes and french. I especially enjoyed my math courses, physics and english creative writing courses. I engaged in many extra curricular activities, such as Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country Running, managing the Wrestling team, and Fitness Training. I was a member of the National Honors Society for students with exceptional academics and elected as Vice President of the National Honors Society, in charge of the organization of events for charity at my school. I was also selected to be a 'Mustang Mentor' in charge of guiding a group of incoming students through their first year of high school and helping them if need be, as well as a captain of the Cross Country team. 



After my high school days flew by, I applied  to multiple universities in pursuit of a BFA in Fashion Design, my true passion.  It was not a simple decision between Parsons the New School, NY and Parsons Paris, Paris (now École Parsons à Paris), but knowing Paris as the birthplace of haute couture - I moved to Paris. I spent my first year in Foundation, expanding my knowledge across all domains of art; sculpture, drawing (with all mediums), figure sketching, digital illustration (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign), painting, photography, videography, art history... It was a wonderful year. Settling into the big city, getting to know Paris, practicing my french, making new friends and connections, truly experiencing the benefits of learning in Paris. In classes we utilized the city; architectural aspects, exhibitions and museums. In addition to 25 hours of in class work a week, not to mention homework, I worked for the school as on-campus intern. I was the front desk receptionist; a friendly face of the school, greeting, guiding tours... receptionist duties.  I also worked with the Student Life Office, organizing social events for the students, and keeping on top of student paperwork (filing, photocopying, organizing and entering data in Jenzabar). In addition to my on-campus internship, I took an opportunity to intern as a showroom assistant for Diane von Furstenberg, spring collection. I dressed models, organized the clothing and accessories continually in order to keep it tidy and got a general feel for the marketing aspect of the fashion world.

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At last, my first year of fashion rolled around, hand in hand with a tidal wave of homework. Fashion has so far been all I anticipated and more. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, but I know that fashion is what I see myself doing in the future, and that idea keeps me motivated and pushing forward, eager to learn. Thus far I have learned fashion illustration techniques, the conceptualization of collections, pattern drafting (for all basic structures and how to make transformations), digital fashion illustration, the depiction of flats by hand as well as digitally, draping and fashion history. I am currently studying at École Parsons à Paris (now Paris College of Art) and I will be transferring to the new campus of Parsons Paris the New School, in the fall to continue my studies in fashion design.

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DANIELLE COLE