MEGAN LIM

In 2021, I had the opportunity to intern with By Chi Adanna in fashion design. By Chi Adanna is a fresh-faced fashion business in Sacramento, California that specializes in African-style clothing. The designs feature bright color-blocking and bold African print. By Chi Adanna also emphasizes attention to sustainability by using natural, secondhand fabrics.

 

Due to the pandemic, my internship proceeded remotely. Many aspects were impacted, forcing us to adapt to the different circumstances. Meetings were held using Zoom. The tasks I received were able to be done independently. Thus, all of the work done was on my own, without much supervision. The majority of my work involved digital software like Photoshop and Illustrator to create technical sketches and fashion illustrations of various outfits. The images above are some examples of my work.

 

Despite the distance, I also helped with garment construction. By Chi Adanna would send over the materials for me to sew on my home sewing machine. These garments I sewed were prototypes related to the fashion illustrations and technical sketches. Once I finished sewing a set of garments, I would send them back to California. This process took a longer time because of shipping and lack of professional resources on my end, but this represented the adjustments and flexibility needed to drive the brand.

 

For the independent project, I decided to design an outfit that embodied By Chi Adanna’s brand identity. This includes color-blocking, African print and sustainable influences. I planned to use the leftover print fabric from the other projects and find a matching blue cotton fabric. With the fall/winter season in mind, I sketched ideas for a crop jacket and simple dress that can be left loose or belted. From some sustainable fashion designs I’ve observed, less seams reduced waste. As a result, my designs were more boxy and wearable for a wider range of sizes. After sewing samples and fixing the patterns, the final prototype was ready to be constructed.

 

Throughout my experience as an intern at By Chi Adanna, I learned to be responsible for myself. Even though I didn’t get to experience a physical work environment, the challenge of keeping up with deadlines and putting forth quality effort was beneficial. Admittedly, I wonder what an in-person internship would have been like. However, even after the internship period ended, I still maintain a good relationship with the brand. I had the wonderful opportunity to design a logo for them and make a fashion illustration for their fashion show. Overall, By Chi Adanna helped me to be independent and confident in my skills in an unpredictable situation.