News & Calendar
News Room

Eternal Style

By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
Hettrick ’22 turns fabric into fashion in museum design workshop
Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent famously said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” Harry Hettrick ’22 exemplifies this in both his work and his own style.

Hettrick has been making waves in the fashion world since 2016, his first year participating in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Teen Stylin’ program.  Teen Stylin’ is a twelve-week program held at VMFA that includes fashion-design workshops during which participants learn from professional fashion designers and industry specialists to create innovative garments inspired by VMFA’s collection.

Hettrick was in seventh grade for his first Teen Stylin’ however he began experimenting with fashion as a young child.  “I would use costumes and dress up to replicate fashion from movies and magazines,” says Hettrick.  “My grandmother taught me to sew in third grade, and I dove into it.  I liked the idea of being able to hand make something myself. I got my first sewing machine in 7th grade and started being more interested in fashion and creation... the more I did it, the more capable I became.” 

Capable has turned to superlative in the intervening years.  “Harry has such passion and knowledge of fashion from designers to history already, that he is definitely going to be successful in whatever avenue he pursues in fashion,” says his IB art teacher, Ali Moriarty. “It's part of who he is as a person.”  

Hettrick revels in the history of fashion both for his pieces and in his own personal style.  “I love vintage clothing. Everything repeats itself [in fashion], and I love that many vintage pieces are handmade and have a history to them,” he says. “Seeing tags from the department stores like Thalhimers, Miller & Rhoads shares that history.  I love the idea of feeling what it felt like to wear something that someone wore in the past.”  He even made a pair of 1800s stays to experience what wearing them was like.

Hettrick credits his love of history and vintage items to his grandmother and mother.  “My grandmother is a huge inspiration,” he says. “She has always been very fashion-forward. I love listening to her stories, hearing about her experiences, and seeing her collections in her home. My mom has also been a major influence.  She knows what she likes to wear and she is so happy in her wardrobe.” 

For this year’s Teen Stylin’, Hettrick was assigned the museum’s Asiatic sarcophogus from the 3rd century AD as the piece from which to base his work.  “It was once a beautiful piece of Roman creation but over time it has become worn and chipped, “ he says, “so I am creating a piece that uses rough plaster but also organic beauty, so it is more of my interpretation of how beauty can decay over time but is still beautiful in its own sense.”  Last year’s session used a piece by Georgia O’Keefe.

Hettrick appreciates Teen Stylin’s focus not only on art and design, but also the business side of design.  “We’ve studied Anna Wintour and more real-world applications and information about the economics of art,” says Hettrick. “It isn’t just the pieces you create, it is you as a brand and a designer.  How do you stand out and sell your product?”

Hettrick also credits Teen Stylin’ as one of the best fashion programs for adolescents, and he appreciates being surrounded by peers and the guest artists who share their wisdom and experience. “You can learn from them and they are so open to helping you. It’s only as competitive as you want it to be,”says Hettrick. “The focus is on learning the design process and learning who you are as a designer, not the awards.”

Hettrick also appreciates the influence of peers and teachers at Trinity in shaping his work.  “Being around other IB artists at Trinity pushes me to grow,” he says. “This has shown me that in the future I want to surround myself with people who are more talented and will push me even further.  It is so inspiring to see what others create.”

In working with Ms. Moriarty in the Perkinson Art Center, Hettrick says: “Ms. Moriarty’s fashion design experience allows her to make suggestions while still giving me room to be my own artist and ultimately make my own choices. Participating in critiques allows me to be open to criticism and hearing it while also allowing me to keep my own ideas.”   

For her part, Moriarty says of Hettrick: “Speaking with him is such a joy because he is so articulate and passionate about art and design and fashion... I love how he expresses himself through fashion.  He is so thoughtful in his process; his attention to detail is central to his work.”

While Hettrick hasn’t specifically mapped his future in fashion and design, it is clear that there are more great things to come.  From Teen Stylin’ to IB art to making his own clothing, Hettrick’s timeless sense of style will resonate for years to come.
Back

About “Connections”

Connections is a regular online column, written from the first-person perspective of Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement:

In this space, I have the privilege of sharing stories of Trinity students, alumni, and faculty and staff who are carrying our mission beyond the boundaries of campus. Many of these stories might not make the headlines, but they will illustrate how every member of the Trinity community has a unique path to discover, and the ability to make an impact on both the Trinity community and the world beyond.

I am fortunate to have been a part of this community since my own adolescence. I have been a student, a teacher, a coach, and an administrator, and in these roles I have witnessed the school’s growth and evolution through the years. We have grown in size as well as spirit.

Stories here will capture how seeds planted at Trinity have taken root and flourished into full-grown passions. You’ll also read stories of those in our community who bring their gifts from outside to help us learn. At Trinity, we seek to develop lifelong learners, and stories here will illustrate real-life examples of that beautiful symbiosis.

Read more "Connections"

List of 10 news stories.

  • Paying it Forward

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    Drawing strength from personal challenges, Rosie Williams ’26 works to inspire and mentor hearing impaired youth
    Read More
  • Wider Exposure

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    From the photography darkroom to the rapids of the James River, Thomas Clarkson ’24 finds finds creative ways to view and explore the world
    Read More
  • Independent Streak

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    Sam Aisenberg ’24 is riding high in the saddle both in the equestrian ring and in her school community
    Read More
  • Balancing Act

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    Olivia Rodenhaver ’26 makes time for competitive gymnastics — and sticks the landing
    Read More
  • photo courtesy of jshfoto

    Team First

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    With trademark unselfish play, Colin Flood ’23 leads Titan Soccer to historic highs 
    Read More
  • In Her Own Voice

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    Sadie Holloway ’24 steps into the spotlight as both a singer and a leader
    Read More
  • Hanging Tough

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    Reaching beyond challenges, Van Malkie ’24 pulls himself up to the next level
    Read More
  • Growing in Leadership

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    As Richmond Forum Scholar and Trinity student leader, Layal El-Ayoubi ’23 looks for ways to collaborate, encourage others and grow global awareness
    Read More
  • Odds on Favorites

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    Two Trinity seniors rise to the top of national youth investment and finance competition
    Read More
  • Three Months, Two Thousand Miles, One Path

    By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
    Pushing herself through the entire Appalachian Trail, Perry ’17 discovers more than just beautiful wilderness
    Read More
Archive

Trinity Episcopal School

3850 PITTAWAY DR | RICHMOND VA 23235-1099 | Phone: 804.272.5864 | Fax: 804.272.5865 Email: mail@trinityes.org