{"id":27377,"date":"2022-06-24T09:56:56","date_gmt":"2022-06-24T13:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=27377"},"modified":"2022-08-19T14:37:04","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T18:37:04","slug":"joelle-bond-13-inspired-to-design-pieces-that-will-always-stand-out-in-your-wardrobe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2022\/06\/joelle-bond-13-inspired-to-design-pieces-that-will-always-stand-out-in-your-wardrobe\/","title":{"rendered":"Joelle Bond \u201913: Inspired to Design Pieces That Will Always Stand Out in Your Wardrobe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Kamilah Heslop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since a young age, Joelle (Purifoy) Bond \u201913 has had a keen eye for design. She went from using crayons as a child to draw portraits of her loved ones to learning how to sew an intricate trench coat in high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That elective sewing class, combined with her passion and creative talent, sparked Bond\u2019s interest in attending the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’d learned from a friend who had attended the Wilson College that it was the world\u2019s number one college of textiles,\u201d she says. \u201cI knew I wanted to pursue fashion design, so I applied and was thrilled to be accepted!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since graduating in 2013 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in fashion and textile management<\/a>, Bond has had a successful career in womenswear design. She\u2019s held a variety of design and merchandising roles at leading brands, including Tracy Reese, J. Crew and Spanx. While working in Tracy Reese\u2019s design studio in New York, Bond was thrilled to assist in creating feminine silhouettes and color-rich prints while also helping to prepare the brand for New York Fashion Week, which included the development of some iconic dresses donned by Former First Lady Michelle Obama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Bond is the associate designer of dresses and sweatshirts at Athleta. Prior to this position, she held a technical design role with the company where she perfected the fit of tops, dresses and outerwear, including pieces within the Allyson Felix capsule collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Joelle
As the associate designer of dresses and sweatshirts at Athleta, Joelle Bond ’13 has designed many pieces for the company. In this photo, she’s pictured with an Athleta model who is wearing a sweatshirt and bike shorts she designed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bond has always been motivated by her personal mission to design fashion pieces that stand the test of time and sit proudly in the wardrobes of her clients. In the Q&A below, she shares more about her path to success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Degree<\/strong> B.S. Fashion and Textile Management<\/a>, 2013 (Concentration: Fashion Development and Production)
Job Title <\/strong>Associate Designer of Dresses and Sweatshirts, Athleta
Current City <\/strong>Raleigh, North Carolina
Hometown<\/strong> Durham, North Carolina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What activities were you involved in as an NC State student and how did they impact your experience?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I primarily participated in fashion show competitions throughout my time at NC State, and it consumed most of my free time. I designed, sewed and showed at around eight shows and won most of them. At NC State, I recognized my own talent through these competitions and understood I could make a career out of doing what I loved. I’m so grateful for that experience and the support I received from the Wilson College of Textiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your fondest memory of being at NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

My fondest memories include moments backstage doing hair, makeup and styling for the models (my friends, haha!) who showcased my designs. We had so much fun, and it was cool to apply what I was learning in class to create and bring something I envisioned to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also really enjoyed my study abroad experience in Florence, Italy<\/a>! It was such an immersive experience. I learned about fashion history, merchandising and illustration from a different part of the world, and it gave me a new perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n