Halle Villares developed technical skills in fashion illustration, pattern drafting, and garment construction while building a professional portfolio for post-graduate career opportunities.
How did you get your internship?
After applying to many highly competitive fashion internships and repeatedly facing rejection or a lack of response at all, I realized that traditional opportunities were not meeting my needs. Considering that my location-specific search in Tucson also did not produce many fashion-focused internship opportunities, I reached out to Stephanie Springer, one of my Pre-Internship course instructors, for guidance. Serendipitously, I learned that the independent design work I had already been doing for years could be structured intentionally as a creative entrepreneurial internship. With her support, I developed a formal internship plan and created Villares Studio, my self-directed creative internship. I also secured Professor Hope Simpara as my mentor, which ensured professional guidance, structure, and accountability throughout this experience.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose this internship because I wanted to pursue an experience that aligned with my unique career goals. As a self-taught designer, I felt technically underprepared compared to students in traditional fashion programs and knew that in order to compete in this industry, I would need time to focus on strengthening foundational skills like pattern drafting, illustration, and garment construction. Villares Studio gave me the freedom to work intentionally, prioritize skill development, and continue building my portfolio while still balancing my academic responsibilities. This internship allowed me to return to the basics with mentorship and embrace a non-linear, authentic career path.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
Throughout my internship, I focused on strengthening skills in three core disciplines of design to strengthen my portfolio: fashion illustration, pattern drafting, and garment construction. I spent a significant amount of time sketching and experimenting with different illustration mediums, drafting and manipulating patterns using industry-standard techniques, constructing garments with increasingly advanced design elements, and documenting my design process in my sketchbook and internship journal. I also managed project timelines, set goals, reflected on my progress, and sought out mentor feedback to continue refining my work.
What is unique about your situation that influenced your internship experience?
My internship is non-traditional and created entirely around my personal career aspirations. Unlike traditional internships, Villares Studio required me to act as both student and teacher. The lack of local fashion design opportunities, combined with my self-taught background, pushed me to create an experience that prioritized growth over profit. Having this flexibility allowed me to focus on areas I felt least confident in or wanted to develop with the guidance of a mentor while still building skills that are transferable across multiple industries.
What new knowledge or transferable skills did you develop in this internship?
I made significant technical improvements in my flat pattern drafting, garment construction, and illustration skills. Through practicing these skills, I gained a deeper understanding of industry-standard techniques, proper process order, and how precision impacts finished garment quality. I also strengthened my ability to visually and verbally communicate my design process, which I learned is an essential skill for creative careers. I developed many transferable skills, including time management, project planning, accountability, communication, self-advocacy, and boundary setting. Throughout my internship, I became more confident in my ability to navigate and overcome imposter syndrome, which is something I’m very proud of.
What was your favorite or most satisfying part of your internship? Why was this meaningful to you?
I loved every part of my internship, but I was surprised to find that sketching and illustration were my favorite skills to develop. My mentor encouraged me to grant myself permission to make mistakes and remember that not all art must be beautiful. Learning how to loosen up creatively helped me confront my perfectionism and reconnect with the joy of creating. This process was especially meaningful because it allowed me to break down self-imposed barriers, develop my personal illustration style, and more effectively communicate my ideas. I also found deep satisfaction in seeing tangible growth in my technical skills, such as times when I executed an advanced technique perfectly or drafted a pattern without any errors. These moments served as powerful markers of my progress and growth, which strengthened my confidence and motivated me to work even harder.
What did you find challenging about your internship?
The most challenging aspects of my internship were pattern drafting and balancing my workload alongside my other academic responsibilities. Pattern drafting was the technical skill I was least confident in and required patience, precision, and persistence. Developing this skill pushed me far outside of my comfort zone, but overcoming the initial learning curve was perhaps the most rewarding accomplishment of my experience. As someone who spares no effort, trying to balance everything often left me feeling exhausted and anxious, which taught me the importance of setting boundaries and being realistic about what I can take on. From these challenges, I learned that growth requires leaning into discomfort and that saying no is sometimes necessary to prevent burnout and protect the quality of my work.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for the future?
My internship experience helped clarify the type of career I want to pursue. I’ve learned that I enjoy being involved in every step of the design process and creating work that aligns with my values. While I still hope to work in the fashion industry, eventually pursuing freelance design and working for myself are now long-term goals. This experience also showed me that my skills are transferable across many industries and can open doors in unexpected areas such as graphic design, product development, marketing, and advertising. Most importantly, Villares Studio reinforced my commitment to pursuing an authentic career journey that fuels my passion and creativity, whether that’s in the fashion industry or wherever my professional path ultimately leads.