Sarah Eichhorn selected as Fashion and Apparel Design full-time faculty

Sarah Eichhorn. Image courtesy of the artist.

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomes Sarah Eichhorn as the college’s first Visiting Instructor of Fashion and Apparel Design. Eichhorn, who has taught at MIAD as an adjunct instructor since 2020, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the college’s newest major. Eichhorn earned her BFA in Fashion Design from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Chicago and her MFA in Costume Design from Florida State University.

“I strive to make my classroom a diverse learning environment,” explains Eichhorn. “Everyone is joining my classes with different backgrounds and skill sets. I want to make sure that students feel safe and confident as they learn in my class.” Although Eichhorn has taught in higher education since 2008, she accepted her first teaching job out of necessity. “I found out that I very much enjoyed [teaching] and have stuck with it since!” she says. “I most enjoy teaching sewing based courses, patternmaking courses and surface design.”

While working as an adjunct instructor and textiles lab technician, Eichhorn developed the curriculum for the new Fashion and Apparel Design major. “I first started reflecting on the MIAD student,” she says of the process. “Who are they and what are they interested in?” Researching current fashion industry needs and trends, as well as meeting with staff in MIAD’s Equity + Inclusion Center, Eichhorn developed a curriculum that strives to reflect MIAD’s study body.

“I am most excited to start teaching in a fashion program that embodies the MIAD student!” Eichhorn continues. “The current fashion industry is in need of an overhaul. I feel the best place to start considering new ideas and approaches to designing is here in the classroom. Our students are aware of the need for change and talk about things like sustainability often. They want to be size inclusive and better designers overall. What a treat for me to be the one hosting these discussions!”

In her own artistic practice, Eichhorn emphasizes sustainability and zero waste, natural colors and fibers. An experienced educator, she facilitates and leads community workshops on sustainability and natural dye techniques. As a whole, Eichhorn “hopes to inspire others to consider where their coloring comes from and how we can collectively become more invested in the clothes we wear.”

Explore more of Sarah’s work and learn more about MIAD’s new Fashion and Apparel Design major!