New York City: the fashion capital of the world. This year was the debut of the Design for Living trip to the Big Apple. Stacie Giroux, the design for living teacher, once had a vision of taking her to students to NYC, she made it into reality.

"I wanted to do an outside learning experience; I wanted to go all out and go to New York City,"
Giroux said.

This trip consisted of 23 former Design for Living students who were accompanied Giroux, Carol Hepper, and Marie Browski. Browski loved the trip and was amazed that 23 girls got along fine with no drama.

"I really enjoyed it. It was a true adventure," Browski said.

The excursion of New York City began bright and early on St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone arrived by carpool at the airport around 4:00 A.M. excited for the day ahead. As soon as the plane landed, the non-stop trip began. Students toured Central Park, Grand Central Station, The Museum at FIT, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, Tenement Museum, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Chinatown. In Times Square there was all kinds of people walking around and even a Statue of Liberty imposter posing for pictures.

A highlight of the trip was going behind the scenes at a jewelry company, Grinnell Designs. Students learned first hand how much time and effort goes into creating a piece of jewelry. Grinnell Designs creates jewelry lines for major designers. Students also got to meet an up and coming jewelry designer, Jen Abrams. Abrams creates pieces out of gold and denim. She believes that designing takes risks and taking something that is "very obvious, and make it not so obvious."

Another exciting element of this trip was shopping and walking around at Mood Fabrics. Mood is a fabric store that has been popularized by the hit show Project Runway.

"I loved it! I wish we had more time to be in there," sophomore Rachael Kao said.

Students also watched the Tony-Award-Winning Broadway play, "In the Heights." This is a play about the diverse culture of NYC and how immigrants can achieve their dreams in the city.

New York City was extraordinary. It is unlike anything else in the world. From museums to stores or just walking down the streets of New York City, there is always something new to experience. Students interested in traveling to NYC in the future have to take Design for Living. Make sure to put it on your schedule!