Page 98 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2018

FALL FASHION in the spotlight
YOUNG
DESIGNER
story by Lynn Lofton
photos courtesy of Nadiya Copeland
Y
Bujan’s
mother, Nadiya
Copeland, who’s a
native of Ukraine, was taught
to sew at an early age by her mother and passed it on to her daughter. “She has definitely taken it further than I ever did,” Copeland says. “Around age seven, she started modeling in kids’ fashion shows. After a few shows, she started taking small pieces of fabric and making stuff for herself at home. Her very first design was a skirt she made for Saints’ Day at school when the kids were encouraged to dress in black and gold. She received so many compliments that it lit a spark in her.”
Copeland points out that Bujan hasn’t had art lessons but has been taking
various
oung designers are unusual in the high stakes world of fashion, but a pre-teen
designer is even rarer. Twelve-year-old Alexandra Bujan of Pass Christian is proving
that it’s possible for design talent to bloom early.
music lessons for quite a while for artistic expression. “She started off with the piano but quickly moved to guitar and absolutely loves it. She does like to spend time drawing, so she definitely has an artsy side.”
Bujan finds design and fashion exciting. “There are so many styles for people to use to express themselves; there’s something for everyone,” she says. “It also leaves a lot of room for people to be unique.”
She also likes the absence of rules in design.
98 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • November 2018
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
Alexandra Bujan resort wear.