Get to know: Madeline Benton
What’s your year, major and hometown?
I am a fourth-year fashion design student. My hometown is Fair Oaks, Calif.
Have you lived elsewhere, if so, where?
I was born in Los Angeles, Calif. and lived there for three years.
Do you have any professional experience?
I’ve interned for a designer, Gregory Parkinson, in Los Angeles twice in the past year.
When did you decide to pursue a career in fashion?
I always had an interest in design, but I didn’t really think about a career in fashion until about my second year in high school. I wanted to be a comedian or a dance teacher.
What inspires you creatively? Professionally?
I get a lot of inspiration from my many years as a long-distance runner and competitive Irish dancer. A lot of my color inspiration comes from dance dresses. I’m also inspired by other sports, especially surfing and the beach lifestyle that comes along with it. Living in California my whole life has also influenced my design greatly. Professionally, I am inspired by successful brands in the activewear industry, such as Under Armour for their fabric technology and Lululemon for their marketing strategy and design innovation.
What are some of the most pressing issues facing today’s fashion designers? Models? Accessory designers?
I feel like a very pressing issue in the fashion industry today is design ownership. Many trend-driven mass market companies like Forever 21 are knocking off designer work and selling it for a much lower price. This is great for the consumer, but the credit for the design and the reward does not go to the original designer. Why design something and put so much work and money into it if you won’t be the one gaining the reward later? It’s very hard to stay afloat as an emerging designer in this industry.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Five years from now, I hope to start my own activewear brand in Los Angeles. I would like to have a good amount of industry experience before then, so if I don’t feel ready, then I can always wait another five years.
Do you have any advice for future SCAD fashion designers or those who are preparing to enter the industry?
I would advise everyone planning on being a fashion designer to have tough skin and be able to hear a lot of critique without taking anything personally. I think every designer should stay true to their own aesthetic and gut feeling, but listening to feedback and growing is also necessary. Also, working hard and having fun are also very important.
How would you categorize your aesthetic?
My aesthetic is athletic for the most part, colorful, beachy, and sleek.
Who would be your dream designer to work alongside?
My dream designer to work with is definitely Stella McCartney. Her career and success is what I strive for.
When you think about the future of fashion, what do you see?
I see a lot of designers making lower-priced lines in the future or collaborating more with mass market brands. I also see the activewear industry growing even larger, which affects me personally as a designer.
