About
Me

My name is Ryan DePaolo and I am a 21 year old Fashion Design student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. I began sewing around the age of eight when my grandparents bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. My great-grandmother then spent the entire day teaching me the basics of sewing and I instantly fell in love with the craft and have been doing it ever since. Throughout elementary, middle and high school I spent countless hours taking sewing classes at a local fabric store to further my skills and it was through these classes that I decided I wanted to pursue fashion as a career. 

​

I began at FIT in the Fall of 2020, completing my Freshman year entirely remotely. While this presented many challenges and was extremely difficult, I was able to adapt and overcome and ultimately make the most of the experience. Starting my Sophomore year in the Fall of 2021, in person in NYC, was a difficult adjustment, but again I was able to work through my struggles and ultimately graduate with my AAS degree in May of 2022 with a 3.68 GPA whilst being on the Dean's List for all four semesters.

​

I spent the Fall of 2022 beginning my BFA in Fashion Design abroad in Milan Italy, studying at Politecnico di Milano. My time in Milan was truly life changing and I learned so much and met so many amazing people; it was an experience I would not trade for the world.

​

I am about to enter my final semester at FIT, where I will be graduating with my BFA in Fashion Design, specializing in Intimate Apparel. I will also be graduating with minors in Fashion, History, Theory and Culture, as well as Art History and Italian Studies.