Westchester Fashion Academy for Children

Hello,

My name is Denise Proctor ,  when I was about your age I had dreams of becoming a fashion designer, and a teacher, my mother was a teacher.

I lived in Westchester and went to elementary school in White Plains NY.

In high school I always dressed differently, I was involved in every art class, theatre costume group, wore my hair different and at times I was not accepted with the popular kids, but I didn't care because I had the dream of becoming a designer and a teacher !

At that  time there was nothing in Westchester  and probably not in any other areas relating to fashion design .  My mother, ( being a teacher)  didn't know much about the fashion world  and at that time fashion was not considered a stable or serious  career to study.  My mother  was afraid for me, but I held on to the dream of becoming that designer and teacher. Although she didn't understand  completely what I needed  to do, she gave a strong mothers support !  I only had my mom, my wonderful dad  had passed on when I was nine.

This is not a sad story, my dad gave me many gifts, the gift of reaching out to people of all cultures, and backgrounds, the  gift of gab, what we call today socializing.  The most precious gift of all, the gift of self love, not being selfish, but knowing that you are ok,  just the way you are!  Loving yourself is the best way to stand up to opposition, bullies, and not so nice friends.

I've had and still having the most incredible journey, I am a graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology.  I recieved a  full scholarship from Mr. David Schwartz and the Zenkels,  who owned Jonathan Logan, Butte Knit etc.  I soaked up everything  I possibly could while sketching their multimillion dollar collections.  I've worked with other designers,I've enjoyed the opportunity to orchestrate both production and quality control for various manufacturers through out my career.

I am CEO of Denise Proctor Bridal Designs,  my designs have been sold to Saks Fifth Ave, Bloomingdales etc. My collections have appeared on  TV and in many magazines.

I've even gone to the Grammys.

 I've taught at Parsons school of design, Pratt Institute,and the Westchester Community College.

I've taught fashion drawing to children at the Pelham Art Center  since 2000, and  the TDYCC since 2006. 

I've been invited to speak to students about Denise Proctor Bridal Designs  on career day at my alma mater F.I.T. and gave the commencement speech to The College of Westchester Graduating Class of 2009.

  In 2000,  I developed the Westchester Fashion Academy for Children.  The Academy was created  to introduce children ages 6-17 to the many areas of fashion design, from sketching to owning and operating a mock boutique.

We've had many articles written about  the academy.

In 2008 we were introduced to the public via Westchester Magazine,in 2009 the children designers made the "Best of Westchester" with a beautiful spread in the magzine.

"What To Do" magazine  of Bedford ,Armonk and Chappaqua will be highlighting our outstanding designers once again in their 2010 issue.

We opened  the doors to our newest academy, NEW YORK FASHION ACADEMY for CHILDREN   January 25, 2009.

Now I have the best of two careers, I am a fashion designer and I teach the most incredible children fashion at the one and only  WESTCHESTER FASHION ACADEMY for CHILDREN , and the new New York Fashion Academy for Children ! 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND

HOLD ON TIGHT TO YOUR DREAMS !