but she enjoyed learning about the south. She was immediately accepted into SCAD after Rising Star and she started in the fall of 2013 for her first quarter.

At SCAD, Talia liked to get involved in everything the school had to offer. She would attend life model drawings, exhibitions, lectures, films and more. In 2015 she started to work for SCAD as a monitor in the Fashion Building, Eckburg Hall. Every year she would also assist in the SCAD Senior Fashion Show to learn what went on behind the scenes to create such a huge and successful production.

In 2016 Talia sold a sculpture, a dress made out of used teabags and a mannequin made from diamond fencing. It was inspired by consumer waste. The purpose was to make something beautiful out of trash. The company who purchased it is called Jolie Tea Company in Danvers MA. She has had multiple pieces on display at SCAD. In 2014-15 she had drawings displayed in Anderson Hall and in 2016-17 she has had pieces displayed in Eckburg Hall.

Talia interned in both Los Angeles, California and New York City. When in L.A she interned for Margaritaville Apparel (Yes, it is Jimmy Buffets Brand). She worked on the Menswear design team as well and the Graphics team under the Art Director Nicholas Kearney. While working there, she learned N.E.D Graphics for digital print making. She also attended fittings and sat in on meetings. In the summer of 2016 Talia interned for Macy’s MMG private label Ideology for men which launches in spring 2017. Her mentor was head designer Erica Fenn. The internship required her to work on technical drawings and prints. It was important for her to learn how a big company like Macy’s works. She attended meetings, fittings and lectures. Macy’s gave Talia the opportunity to shadow people working on different areas in the company. Another great opportunity was the experience of helping set the room up for a buy meeting and learning the ins and outs of what goes into selecting clothing that will actually go into the stores. While at this internship Talia and 3 team members won a first place prize for their project entitled “Ryder”.

In fall of 2016 Talia finished her minor in menswear and was ready to use the skills she learned throughout the courses for her senior collection. Her senior collection will wrap up in May 2017, so stay tuned.

In 2017 Talia became a YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund scholar and winner for her project entitled “Sock it to Me”. She traveled to New York with 20 other SCAD students to accept their awards.

In June 2017 she will be graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a B.F.A in Fashion Design and a minor in Menswear.

Artist Statement:

I take inspiration from anything and everything.

I have always been fascinated with stories and I feel my work needs to express a story or experience I have gone through. It needs to be authentically Talia. I always find it easier to design when I have a strong concept to back up my work.

I have been studying menswear because I fell in love with the tailoring aspect of designing garments. The devil is in the details and menswear is all about the details. Even though my work has become more conceptual over time, I always go back to what I have learned in tailoring. You have to know the rules in order to break them. I enjoy mixing fabrics and different elements of design to push the boundaries.

I am a strong believer in collaboration. Over the years I have collaborated with fibers, industrial, jewelry, accessories and other fashion design and marketing students. I believe that there is always something new to learn from your peers.

My senior collection is under my brand named after my brother Jared Lev Blyer. The brand name is called Lev.Blyer. Lev means heart in Hebrew, I put my heart and soul into everything I do. My brother is my best friend and he inspires me with his passion and curiosity. When Jared was younger he was always sculpting and building things out of tin foil trying to replicate real forms. We were always creating and drawing together.

What could be better than getting a brand named after you?

This is for you Jared.