Designer Feature: Debra Zerr
Written by Reagan Roper, photos by Nia Harrison
My partner Nia and I had the pleasure of meeting with senior fashion design student, Debra Zerr. During our interview we were able to take a closer look into her personal life as well as her professional life.
Zerr is originally from Colorado, and studies Fashion Design and Product Development at Missouri State University. Apart from her fashion-focused interests, Zerr is a part of the Catholic Campus Ministry and takes ballroom dancing classes in her freetime.
Zerr is currently in the process of launching her very own blog and business, “Corner of Sunshine,” which will include products from her personal portfolio along with personal information about herself like where she is from, how she got started as a designer, where she has traveled to and so much more.
During Zerr’s junior year at MSU, she served on the Executive Board of the Association of Fashion and Design as the Co-Director of Membership. When asked how being a part of AFAD shaped her into the senior she is today, Zerr said, “It helped me connect with other designers and merchandisers so that I could really build the community.”
She explained how, in the fashion industry, it’s all about community and connections. Zerr’s role on the executive board for AFAD helped her develop her leadership skills and, “take what I’ve learned and apply it in more of a professional sense.”
Zerr received a sketch pad at the age of 11, and that’s when her creativity took off. “I kept designing and fell in love with it and wanted to pursue it as a major and career,” she said. The MSU fashion program helped Zerr build her skill set through hands-on experiences.
Some key skills she learned are: basic sewing skills like french seams, invisible zippers, precise hems, pattern making and draping.
She mentioned a piece of advice that was given to her by one of MSU’s fashion professors, Sandra Bailey, “No amount of money can make you happy in a job.” Finding a job that makes Zerr happy, regardless of pay, is what she values most. That being said, her ideal job in the fashion industry would be to design a bridal line or work for Rue de Seine Bridal— a bridal shop in New Zealand,— as an assistant designer.
As a senior, one of Zerr’s biggest projects is to independently design an entire collection. During our interview, I had the honor of seeing her creative vision firsthand. Her collection falls under the line of bridal, but is beautifully unconventional. I asked what inspired the collection and she said it was the song, “Fuego'' by Eleni Foureira. Zerr says she pulls inspiration for her designs from music, trend research and nature. As a Colorado native, Zerr says the outdoors are a huge inspiration for her.
When designing products, Zerr appriciates, “being able to be creative without having any limits.” Taking her ideas, bringing them to life and seeing people’s response to what she’s created is very important to her. Her creative process can often be time consuming with her longest design time totaling over 250 hours! Zerr’s all-time favorite design is her Little Black Draping Dress. The dress, one of the first formal pieces she had completed, stood out to Zerr because it included embroidery, 3D florals and tulle. The Draping Dress was one of the first projects that had come out how she expected it to.
Apart from her hand-made designs, Zerr’s style has a Bohemian Chic vibe. She purchases most of her clothing from Olive and Ivy Boutique here in Springfield, Altar’d State and thrift stores.
Zerr leaves younger designers this advice, “start strong, start with challenging things that will push your limits to see what you can do. Really work on your sewing skills and attend classes- even if you don’t want to.” As a newer designer I found her advice very helpful and was very glad I got the chance to speak with her.
It was such an honor to be able to meet an experienced fashion designer and see into her creative process. Her senior project is outstanding and the amount of work that has, and will go, into her collection is a reflection of her extreme dedication. Deb is an extremely hard worker. She is constantly in the studio perfecting herself and her collection, putting in countless hours and I’m excited to see the end result.