VISION STATEMENT
The fashion industry has a great impact on the environment, and I feel a responsibility to do my part to make fashion more sustainable. Luckily, problem solving is one of my favorite aspects of design. The curriculum in Milan pushed us to research and to consider the product life cycle and how it can be improved for a more circular economy. The market is oversaturated and there needs to be an emphasis on reducing the number of items in a wardrobe while enhancing the duality of individual pieces. Creating clothes that aren’t limited in their aesthetics or purpose. Clothes are more than what you put on your back and should enhance the wearer’s lifestyle. Empowering women will always be my main objective, but there are a host of opportunities where fashion can contribute to society's ecosystem.
EXHIBITIONS / AWARDS
2021 | Received the critic award for my thesis collection from Kobi Halperin of Kobi Halperin.
2017 | Received the critic award for “Outstanding Design Interpretation” from Ceasar Cabreros of Marchesa.
2011 | Received second place in the Ohio Governor's art exhibition out of 11,000 artist’s works', across multiple mediums.
PUBLICATIONS
Sourcing Journal | FIT’s Future of Fashion Critic Award Winners
Fashion Institute of Technology | Future Of Fashion 2021
KOBI HALPERIN FOR FASHIONISTA
"Kerrigan's work is relevant to what’s happening in fashion and what's happening to us as a society," said Halperin of graduate Kerrigan Onno, who focused on comfortable, contemporary clothes with an eye towards sustainability and inclusivity. "I feel his work demonstrates his keen insight and thoughtfulness. The results represent his handwriting and vision as a designer." - Kobi Halperin, FIT Critic
ABOUT KERRIGAN
My name is Kerrigan Onno, and I am a life-long student of the world.
There isn’t a part of this earth or this life I don’t want to experience. From backpacking in Central America and Europe to studying abroad with FIT’s program in Italy, I’ve only just scratched the surface of my passion for exploration and diverse experiences. This is why I’m so committed to making sure there is a world to explore for future generations.
As a designer, I am constantly learning about different technical programs and ways to make fashion more sustainable. Studying abroad with FIT’s program in Milan was incredible. I learned from the top professors in textile sustainability - there I pushed myself to research the product life cycle and innovative textile processes.
In the next decade, I hope to fulfill multiple goals simultaneously as a professional: I hope to be designing for a contemporary brand that focuses on sustainability and clean design. Meanwhile, I’d like to develop my own research in textile technology.