Hello, my name is Angelina Balzano.  I am a 24-year-old Fashion Design student at Drexel University, expected to graduate in June 2025.  Fashion has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember.  Growing up, I watched my Nonna drape, fit, and sew at her tailor shop.  I looked up to her and grew curious about how she understood clothing so well.  She came to America from Italy with this trade and used it to make a life for herself and her family. This is what drove my love for fashion. 

She began teaching and encouraging me to pursue a career in fashion even at a young age.  However, as time went by, and life's distractions came into play, I slowly started to doubt my abilities and felt unsure if I could ever make it in the fashion industry.  After graduating high school, I attended Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia, PA, to study Marketing.  Toward the end of my first year, the COVID-19 pandemic began.  During my time in quarantine, I revisited designing and sewing.  I used it as a creative outlet at a time when everything felt stagnant.  It wasn't until the end of my second year at Saint Joseph's that I realized I wanted to learn more about fashion and be a part of its world.  

My time at Drexel University has been unlike any other.  I am now taking classes that I feel passionately about and am learning more and more through their rigorous program and insightful professors.  Much of my work displayed in this portfolio was created during my time so far at Drexel.  Other than fashion, I am interested in sustainability, and ethical working standards.  The fashion industry is one of the leading sources of pollution, so in my eyes, it is very important to not only prioritize design but also how garments come to be. 

Coming from a family of immigrants and self-made business owners has inspired me to start thinking about having my own business.  I label each of my designs with the name "Bambola", the nickname my Nonna has given me meaning "baby doll" in Italian.  I intend to have a brand with this name, dedicated to my Nonna. 

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Thank you for viewing my portfolio. I hope you enjoyed my work! 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.  I have listed my contact information as well as included my social media links along the side of my page. 

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