Sawyer Grace Tripp
My name is Sawyer Tripp, and I am originally from the United States, though I have spent the majority of my life living abroad across five different countries. This multicultural upbringing shaped both how I view the world and how I approach my creative projects.
From a very young age, I have been deeply passionate about all things related to design and fashion. Whether it was decorating dollhouses, sewing custom outfits for my dolls, or studying fine art, my childhood was defined by a constant exploration of my own creativity.
As my creative identity evolved, these early playful experiments transformed into a focused passion for garment construction, material exploration, and textile research. Spending my first year of university studying in Florence, Italy, profoundly impacted my vision, immersing me in classical craftsmanship and historic art. Now, studying fashion design at IE University, my creative identity has become a balance of that historic appreciation with modern, business forward-thinking. I view fashion as a kind of wearable self expression with an intersection of fine art, creativity, and expression of culture.
"Give yourself the chance to dive into your creativity, you might surprise yourself ."
Q&A with Sawyer
What inspired you to choose fashion design, and why did you decide to study it at IE?
For the majority of my life, I thought I wanted to study interior design. However, as I dove deeper into both fields, I realized that fashion design was a much better fit for my creative identity. I fell in love with the immediate, hands-on aspect of creating a piece that isn't just beautiful to look at, but is wearable, and able to be personal to the individual experiencing it. When it came to choosing where to study, IE University stood out because of how it integrates design into a broader, approach intertwining business, history and art into fashion. Studying fashion often means navigating a separation between a design and business having to give up one for the other. IE bridges that gap perfectly. It allows me to immerse myself in hands-on studio work while remaining connected to an international business community.
How has your degree helped you understand both the creative and business sides of fashion?
The curriculum is structured to ensure you get plenty of hands on studio time while still learning the dynamics of fashion business, marketing and retail. I’ve been pushed to dive deep into design inspiration and skills while integrating a business strategy and proposal. Classes such as garment construction and intro to fashion focus on the more technical design aspect where as our design history and methodologies classes give insight to the more business sides of art and fashion.
Can you tell us about a project where you had to think about both design and the target customer?
I recently worked on a collaborative proposal for a new hypothetical Met Gala theme centered around "Ink" as a universal medium of human expression and artistic freedom. While the theme itself was avant-garde and abstract, translating it into a tangible proposal, presentation and suggestive designs required a strict understanding of our target demographic. We had to balance the high exclusivity of the Met Gala event with the artistic integrity of "ink". It required analyzing how a bold, artistic motif could be scaled across both bold show-stopping pieces and wearable, market-ready silhouettes that resonate with various celebrities and designers.
What have you learned about building your own brand or identity as a designer?
I’ve learned that a designer’s identity is built on authentic storytelling, vulnerability and willingness to take risks. It’s about discovering a signature element, learning what materials or mediums you like and dislike while still being open to always trying new things and challenging Yourself.
Furthermore, building a brand means knowing exactly who you are talking to. It requires a deep understanding of your niche and the discipline to ensure that every sketch, material choice, and digital touchpoint aligns with your core values, whether that is rooted in cultural sociology or sustainable innovation.
What skills have you developed beyond design, such as communication, strategy, or collaboration?
While sharpening my design and craftsmanship skills, IE has also strengthened my leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural communication skills. Serving as an officer for the Wellness Club and engaging with other various activities and clubs has taught me how to manage projects, advocate for community needs, and execute events efficiently. In the studio, fashion is rarely a solitary endeavor; it requires intense collaboration. I’ve developed the ability to articulate complex creative visions to diverse teams, negotiate design directions when perspectives clash, and align group projects under unified strategic goals.
How has the program helped you balance the hands-on, creative side of fashion with the business skills needed to build your own brand?
The Fashion Design Program balances hands-on studio hours where we focus on garment construction, sketching, material experimentation, and portfolio work. We are consistently pushed to pitch our creative ideas where our public speaking and business skills intertwine with design. This duality ensures that when we develop a concept, we are growing both in our creativity identity and business strategy. This gives us more confidence as we apply for internships, jobs and start to build up our own brand.
What kind of impact or role do you hope to have in the fashion industry after you graduate?
After I graduate, I hope to step into roles where I can bridge artistic creation, styling and sustainability. Whether working within an established luxury house, fashion magazine or developing my own entrepreneurial ventures, my goal is to create wearable art that tells a story and carries meaning. I hope to create pieces or style outfits that inspire self confidence, quality craftsmanship while incorporating sustainable materials.
