'Life-Changing': El Camino College Students Win Fashion Scholarship

TORRANCE, CA — Brisha Herbert first started sewing more than 10 years ago as a way to bond with her daughter.

Herbert's daughter was diagnosed with non-verbal autism as a toddler, but they managed to communicate strongly with each other through sewing.

"Even though she wasn't able to communicate with her words, seeing her smile or pointing to something she wanted, it built our bond," Herbert told Patch. "She’s verbal now, student of the year, and in ninth grade, receiving highest achievement awards. She kept that fire in me when it came to sewing. She has been my motivation."

Recently, Herbert, a Long Beach resident, became one of three El Camino College students to be awarded $5,000 from the Fashion Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the country's most talented students succeed in all sectors of the fashion industry. Two other ECC students, Trinity Rodriguez and Daniela Franco, were also awarded the scholarship.

ECC officials said judges were impressed by the student's caliber of work and the storytelling in their personal video, which provided insight into each person's challenges, achievements and passion for fashion.

"Winning that was life changing for me," Herbert said, giving credit to her daughter and professors. "I cried. I've never won anything."

Herbert said that although she taught herself how to sew through YouTube videos, she wanted to learn more, so she joined ECC. There, she's learned different skills such as creating line sheets, fashion illustration and computer pattern drafting.

"It definitely built my confidence to start my own business," Herbert said. It was a game-changer. They gave me all the tools I needed."

She learned about the scholarship through a professor and while Herbert says she was a bit intimidated by the prospect of applying and almost "psyched" herself out, she thought: "The worst thing they can say is no."

Today, Herbert says she knows how to make more than dresses, including ball gowns, corsets and bridal products. She hopes to launch a bridal collection through her website by next year.

"I'm so happy I continued," Herbert said. "It's the best decision I've made."