By: Meredith Bower, Director of Communications at McDonogh School
When Robert Penn joined McDonogh’s Upper School Visual Arts Team in the spring of 2019, he noticed students using personal sewing machines in the library. The Fashion Club was teaching each other the fundamentals of fashion design, signaling a growing interest among students. Eager to introduce a new medium, Penn proposed the School’s first Fashion and Fibers course—a comprehensive program to teach sewing and wearable art creation.
“My decision to approve the course was rooted in the Upper School’s commitment to student-driven education,” says Head of Upper School Merritt Livermore ’91. “The Art Department had been actively listening to our students who expressed strong interest in sketching designs and learning to use sewing machines. Robert’s architecture background made him uniquely qualified to transform these student interests into a structured program incorporating fashion design.”
With the green light and eight heavy-duty Singer sewing machines, the program launched with great enthusiasm. Even when the pandemic hit during the first year of the program, Penn’s determination never wavered—he personally delivered machines to students’ homes to keep the momentum going. Today, Fashion and Fibers has expanded from its initial seven students to more than 35 designers across three levels.
Step into any class, and you’ll hear more than the steady hum of sewing machines. The space buzzes with collaboration as students share ideas and push creative boundaries. The curriculum unfolds in thoughtful stages that develop practical skills and personal growth while addressing contemporary interests in sustainability and self-expression.
First-year students learn the basics of sewing using donated fabric and deconstructed clothing. They explore how different materials move and transform and learn to make simple pieces like t-shirts and skirts. The year culminates with an unconventional and challenging project—creating runway-worthy garments using only cardstock, rolls of black and white paper, tissue paper, and pages from recycled books. Most students agree that this is the most difficult and rewarding project of the year as it stitches together creativity and engineering prowess.
Fashion and Fibers II students tackle more complex projects, first producing corsets with professional details like lining, trim, boning, and grommets. These become the foundational pieces for comprehensive collections, including jackets, skirts, dresses, and pants.
“What makes the program particularly compelling is how it empowers students to create deeply personal wearable art,” Livermore notes. “Whether upcycling existing pieces or designing entirely new collections, students use fashion as a medium for self-expression and storytelling. The process demands not just creativity but also courage, vulnerability, and perseverance.”
Students add that the art course cultivates far more than technical expertise by developing crucial problem-solving abilities, an innovation mindset, confidence, resilience, and patience—skills that extend far beyond the sewing room. Annie G. ’26, who joined the class after modeling in her brother’s fashion show, notes, “It’s also made me appreciate what it takes to make clothing.”
The annual Fashion and Fibers fashion show has become both a celebration and a powerful recruiting tool. Student designers select peer models and tailor their garments to fit them, creating an exciting showcase that brings the community together. Like the other students who look forward to the end-of-year event, Annie says that the rush of getting her collection finished in time, seeing friends involved, and having her family witness her creations is so rewarding.
The success of Fashion and Fibers validates McDonogh’s philosophy of saying ‘yes’ to thoughtful innovation and creating opportunities for students to weave their passions into tangible achievements.
Livermore observes, “The Visual Art Department, particularly through innovators like Robert, stays responsive to student voices. This program truly represents a collaborative vision—expert guidance meeting creative aspirations.”
Learn more about McDonogh’s ‘Yes, and…’ culture in the latest edition of McDonogh Magazine.
Ah, the tapestry of education and art interwoven. McDonogh School’s visual arts program exemplifies how nurturing creativity fosters profound self-expression and a deeper understanding of our world. By guiding students through the study and creation of art, they cultivate not just technical skills but also invaluable perspectives on culture and society. Such initiatives are the bedrock of a well-rounded education, preparing young minds to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the complexities of life.