welve year old Cecilia Cassini might just be the youngest fashion designer in the world. The California-based fifth grader has been sewing since she received her first sewing machine at the age of six. She now makes a profit from her collection of one-off garments made with fabric and re-purposed clothing found in the closets of her sister, mom, and friends. More on how Cassini is giving back and designing for good, after the jump. Cecilia Cassini ( no relation to designer Oleg Cassini ) has a no-fear approach when it comes to matching or miss-matching patterns and colors. In her daily blog she writes, “Trust yourself, follow your heart. Do not let anyone tell you that your fabrics don’t look good together!” Her bold fabric choices and bright fabrics are popular among children her age–of course it doesn’t hurt that a ten-year old is behind the design. According to Yahoo Green, Cecilia redesigned a dress at the age of five heck at this age I was wearing Canadian Tuxedos (otherwise known as denim on denim) and at seven, she wrote Chanel proposing a collection of haute couture for children. The DIY’er is crafting her one-of-a-kind clothing with an eco-conscience.
welve year old Cecilia Cassini might just be the youngest fashion designer in the world. The California-based fifth grader has been sewing since she received her first sewing machine at the age of six. She now makes a profit from her collection of one-off garments made with fabric and re-purposed clothing found in the closets of her sister, mom, and friends. More on how Cassini is giving back and designing for good, after the jump. Cecilia Cassini ( no relation to designer Oleg Cassini ) has a no-fear approach when it comes to matching or miss-matching patterns and colors. In her daily blog she writes, “Trust yourself, follow your heart. Do not let anyone tell you that your fabrics don’t look good together!” Her bold fabric choices and bright fabrics are popular among children her age–of course it doesn’t hurt that a ten-year old is behind the design. According to Yahoo Green, Cecilia redesigned a dress at the age of five heck at this age I was wearing Canadian Tuxedos (otherwise known as denim on denim) and at seven, she wrote Chanel proposing a collection of haute couture for children. The DIY’er is crafting her one-of-a-kind clothing with an eco-conscience. 
Cecilia told the LA Daily News, “I also care about saving the planet, and I think I can help by repurposing old clothing into new masterpieces.” If anybody knows Cecilia, they know she has had a passion for fashion since she was a baby. Since she received her first sewing machine from her grandmother for her sixth birthday, she has not stopped sewing and creating her designs. Today, at ten years old Cecilia is “the youngest fashion designer in the country – and maybe even in the world.” Over the past four years, Cecilia has taken a few sewing lessons here and there; but, mostly , she has learned by breaking a lot of needles on her machine and ripping out a lot of crooked stitches. “What you see with Cecilia Cassini is Brilliant Kiddie Couture. When you look at what she makes, it’s obvious she’s designing the clothes that every little girl dreams of wearing.”
At her first Trunk Show, Cecilia sold almost 50 pieces in three hours to impressed and eager young girls. “In the coming days and years, more and more kids will be wearing Cecilia Cassini designs.” Besides being “crazy talented,” she exudes “highbrow fashion and couture mentality.” She loves to experiment with lots of different colors and patterns to create “one-of-a-kind masterpieces.” Cecilia refers to her creations as “masterpieces” because “each dress is unique and one-of-a-kind just like the Mona Lisa and Chanel’s chains.” Unlike Da Vinci or Coco, Cecilia insists that she does not want to wait until she is an adult to create masterpieces and to begin making a difference. And, why should she? Of course, school is a priority; but, Cecilia still has plenty of time to design and sew.
Cecilia gets her inspiration from lots of people and places like fashion magazines; but, mostly, she listens to her heart and follows her imagination. Cecilia has already, at just ten years old, learned that with enough passion and commitment, anything is possible. Cecilia hopes to inspire all children to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams. She was lucky to be discovered and taken seriously by some journalists whom have given her incredible exposure. Cecilia has been featured on several television and newspapers across the United States. CBS news and the front page of the Los Angeles Daily News are just two of many. “It sounds like she is a prodigy. It’s just not normal to hear of a ten year-old with that kind of passion for fashion design,” says Mary Stephens, Director of Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
Because of the attention, Cecilia has already had the opportunity to actually begin to inspire children. Numerous children have contacted Cecilia to say that because of her story, they are encouraged and inspired: One child said, “just because we are children does not mean we should not or are not able to follow our passions and turn our dreams into realities.” Most recently, Cecilia has been asked by elementary school teachers to talk to their classrooms to demonstrate that indeed anything is possible. One teacher wrote, “My students loved hearing your story, and I know that it will make a difference for them. They saw that someone their age can do big things when they work hard at something they love. It was especially good for them to see that while you are running a business, you are also taking time to give back to those who have less.”
Cecilia is lucky enough to have a sewing machine and parents who let her cut up fabric to create new fashions and cultivate her talents. “If Cecilia is a child with incredible talent, she is also a kid with a big conscience.” More and more, Cecilia wants to help to make a difference by giving back to charity to help children or anybody to be able to follow their dreams.
For example, Cecilia was so moved by the story of a young woman who received a full scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, but who was homeless and did not have a sewing machine to practice on, Cecilia gave her her own. To get in touch with Cecilia you have to contact the manager Pilar DeMann pilar@gunmollinc.com
