Nathan Watson knew from a young age he wanted to be a fashion designer, but he didn’t always know an agriculture degree would take him there.
Watson, who is a senior, is pursuing a textiles-based major in the LSU College of Agriculture, rather than attending a university that focuses on liberal arts.
“[At LSU] there’s an emphasis on the chemistry and textiles and how the fabric feels,” Watson said. “Being able to communicate actually helped me at Proenza so much knowing the folds of fabrics, the weights of fabrics, specifically with the designers. Being able to communicate that because of that science-based major helped me out [ten-fold], which I loved.”
Proenza Schouler is a well known womenswear brand, with clothing and accessories ranging from $100 to $3,950. The company is a five-time winner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America Award.
Watson was surprised to receive an internship with the company. He said he applied to “unrealistic” internships because he knew he had to “go big or go home.” He received a FaceTime interview with the company, which praised Watson’s portfolio and believed he fit the brand very well.
He was the head design intern, with other interns working under him. He also worked directly with designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, who made their mark by working with Barneys New York. Watson’s responsibilities included collaborating with the designers about what kind of fabrics to use, understanding fabrics, seeing if shipments needed to be sent to Italy and sewing runway samples.
“One thing I really liked was the way they designed,” Watson said. “They pull a lot of vintage inspiration, so they’d do research for about 20 days – day in and day out of the office.”
Watson also had the opportunity to work with Victoria Traina, a fashion consultant for Proenza Schouler, helping to style for the upcoming collection with a fellow intern.
“It was the most unbelievable experience I’ve ever had,” Watson said, “To be able to watch two designers who are the most awarded designers in fashion, seeing how they work and their creativity … what sparks it.”
Watson said he was constantly ridiculed in the past. People told him he was never going to make it, but he has always been very ambitious.
When Watson was a child, he loved playing dress-up with his sisters and their dance costumes Being their stylist sparked his interest in fashion.
One of Watson’s fashion inspirations included Lady Gaga when she became popular.
Her “freshness” inspired him to begin sketching and designing his own work.
Watson plans to go to New York City after graduation to pursue his dream of having his own label. He wants to first learn how every major designer designs so that he can create something no one has ever done before.
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