About
Me

My name is Ryan DePaolo and I am a 22 year old fashion designer and recent graduate of 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. 

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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.

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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.

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During my final semester at FIT, my senior thesis collection 'Siren Song' was selected as the Critic Award Winner for Intimate Apparel and both of my looks walked the Future of Fashion Runway in May 2024. 

 

In May 2024, I graduated from FIT with my BFA in Fashion Design with a specialization in Intimate Apparel, as well as minors in Fashion, History, Theory and Culture, as well as Art History and Italian Studies.