From Friends’ Central to Conestoga, Delaware Valley Friends School, and Episcopal Academy, since the Spring of 2007, students have been contributing their fashion and design efforts to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation PA.
This has been accomplished through the Annual Teen Learning Community Main Line Fashion and Design Show, recently held on Sunday, May 19 in “The Big Room” at Ludington Library in Bryn Mawr.
At the top of the list to thank are all of the area schools’ textile arts, metal arts, jewelry, makerspace, dream lab, and arts teachers who have inspired these students over the years, especially most recently TLC Mentor Mrs. Melanie Pereira of Radnor High School and Paige Sullivan of Christine Shirley Sewing and Design Studio in Wayne.
TLC could not have developed without the ongoing early counsel and wisdom of Harriet Ackerman (Lower Merion H.S.), Peter Murray (Harriton H.S.). and Sally Ater (Radnor H.S.) who encouraged students in every way, along the way.
Teen Learning Community can also thank the venue providers over the past 17 years, first Lindsay Taylor and next Donna Heller, Lower Merion Township Parks and Recreation, Judy Herman “in memoriam” and Main Line Art Center, and Jessica Ama and the Staff at Ludington Library.
Since May of 2007, the student directors have been Maddie Ballis, Cara Piccoli, and Jennie Smolen (Lower Merion H.S.), Grace McDonald (Friends’ Central), Suzie Sergott (Harriton H.S.), Claire DeVerter (Harriton), Samantha Raymond (Harriton), Abby Cooper (Radnor H.S.), Kaitlyn May (Radnor), Nadia Horchler and Nayra Garcia (Radnor).
This year’s sponsors and donors include these Wayne shops: Gingy’s, Sean King and Jules Pizza, Luna Chick, La Parisienne, and Christine Shirley Sewing and Design Studio.
Bryn Mawr Shops are The Bryn Mawr Running Company, Debbie Niggeman and Arrowroot Farmacy and Cafe, and Pasha’s Boutique.
Narberth Shops include Tracy Tumulo of Sweet Mabel, and Kimberley Bezak and Eleisha Eagle of SHIFT Sustainable Goods + Services.
Year 2024 Donors were Christina Morgan Brown, Rachel Sule, and Rebecca Brown Negri, with “Special Thanks” To Jessica Ama, Ludington Library and Dan Sokil, Main Line Media News.
The Sunday, May 19th F-and-D Show presented the work of the following designers: LuLu Pierce and Models Natalie Duman and Sahana Shastry, Radnor H.S. and Scarlett McDonald, The Shipley School.
Student Directors were Nayra Garcia and Nadia Horchler along with their Model Nicole Irani, Radnor High School.
Graphics and Design were created by Mira Cohen, Radnor High School; displayed designs were by Andrea Guzman and Anna Wampole, Radnor High School.
Looking ahead, the 18th Annual Teen Learning Community Fashion and Design Show will be held in Bryn Mawr in May or June of 2025, “for all students, all schools.”
The motto of Teen Learning Community is “helping youth to help others, since 2006.” For information, contact TLC founder and president Mary Brown (mbrown@sju.edu).
