Sophia Izquierdo

Fashion Design BFA '23

“Columbia has an amazing community of creative and unique individuals, a community different from any other college or university,” says recent Fashion Design graduate Sophia Izquierdo. “Being at Columbia has really opened my eyes and mind to understanding just how unique each creative person is.”

What would you say has been the most surprising thing you learned at Columbia?

The most surprising thing I learned at Columbia was how much creative inspiration one can have by being surrounded by other creatives. Columbia has an amazing community of creative and unique individuals, a community different from any other college or university. Being at Columbia has really opened my eyes and mind to understanding just how unique each creative person is. It is also amazing how much we all support each other at Columbia.

What individuals or programs at Columbia were helpful to you in reaching your goal of graduating?

One of the biggest impacts for me towards my goal of graduation and my future has been some of the professors at Columbia. The professors that really inspired me are the ones passionate about their career, and it is clear they want to share their passions and knowledge with their students. There are many professors like this at Columbia, to name a few I’ve been fortunate to have: Justin LeBlanc, Lauren Peters, Virginia Heaven, James Ciccotti, Chris Bower, and others.

What are your plans for after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to work full-time in the fashion industry as a designer. I currently work designing for a brand in an internship program here in Chicago, and I hope to get hired and grow with this company.

If you were going to sum up your experience at Columbia in one sentence, what would you say?

My college experience has been full of bumps in the road, from the pandemic keeping us away from campus to challenges in my personal life, but all the challenges I’ve faced while in college have led me to be proud of how far I’ve come, how much I have accomplished, and the future that awaits me.