Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Smith.
Dana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My passion began as a childhood dream—starting with hand-sewing pillowcases in Adventure Club and styling outfits for my Polly Pockets, Bratz Dolls, and American Girl Dolls. I also styled and modeled GAP clothing in my first fashion show in sixth grade. That early creativity quickly evolved into sewing American Girl Doll clothing, redesigning my doll house, reupholstering a butterfly chair, and eventually taking fashion courses at Eureka High School before earning a Fashion Design certificate from South Technical High School in 2014. During this period, I participated in three fashion shows, including an upcycled showcase sponsored by Feed My People at St. Matthias Church in Lemay, alongside two South Tech productions. I worked backstage for upperclassmen then modeled my own senior collection the following year.
I continued my education by earning my Associate’s degree from St. Louis Community College at Wildwood, taking art courses and showcasing my work locally at The Wildwood Hotel and the Wildwood Precinct. This also gave me the opportunity to serve as President of the Fine Arts Club through “The Gallery Program”, a transformative experience that allowed me to forge strong connections with mentors who taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, fine art, marketing, and community engagement.
Following this, I modeled at Lindenwood University’s Family Day 2021 and went on to pursue a B.S. in Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship with a minor in Social Media Marketing in 2023. My fashion professors and mentors at Lindenwood have been instrumental in providing industry connections, hosting local designers, and supporting us as we navigate our careers. During the Spring 2026 semester, I showcased my Honors research project at Lindenwood’s EcoFest, worked the Lindenwood Spring Fashion Show, and attended the Lindenwood Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus of St. Louis. Building on the Adobe Illustrator skills I gained last semester, I am now applying them to my career.
A major career milestone for me has been working behind the scenes as an Official Brand Ambassador for the return of St. Louis Fashion Week after its nearly decade-long hiatus. I am so thankful for the opportunity to assist designers and forge new friendships. Collaborating with like-minded creatives who share a mutual love for fashion has been thrilling, and I am already looking forward to what 2027 brings.
Above all, I always strive to honor the younger me who dreamed of this journey. I am excited to see how I can help shape the local St. Louis fashion scene and build meaningful connections with those around me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Navigating higher education as a non-traditional, first-generation student has been a challenge, largely because it is built for younger students continuing their education. Older students often have to navigate more eligibility requirements, age limits, and have an overall lack of resources. To pursue my education, I’ve balanced scholarships, grants, work, and student loans to support myself. I have also faced numerous health challenges, and have had to navigate accordingly. Additionally, the creative block can also be difficult to overcome. That being said, it’s important to pivot when things arise, and be kind to yourself (and others) above all things.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Grounded in a foundation of fashion design and a current focus on Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship, I bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world execution. I believe that understanding how every branch of the fashion ecosystem comes together is essential. Eager to expand my technical skills, I am diving into coursework in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to showcase my growing capabilities in my portfolio. Technology shapes countless aspects of our lives, and fashion is no exception—from wearable tech to virtual avatars and beyond, staying ahead of fashion tech is more crucial than ever. Ultimately, my professional objective is to leverage the fashion industry as a platform for advocacy, focusing specifically on:
– Mental health awareness apparel
– Adaptable, neurodivergent, and disability friendly apparel
– Women’s plus-sized apparel
It is my mission to make clothing with communities, not against them.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Attending local events is one of the most powerful ways to support entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and visionaries. Whether that means attending local fashion shows and art galleries or simply reposting, connecting, and sharing feedback. For local creatives, the most impactful form of support is showing up—knowing that our voices are heard and that we are seen. The ability to be together for one another is precisely what we need to thrive.
Beyond presence, scholarships and financial donations can support individuals on this journey. So many students pour their hearts into their work, but balancing the demands of creating, marketing, and funding is a battle. Bringing a creative vision to life takes an immense amount of time and resources, and producing full-scale events requires even greater support.
Following creatives on social media platforms, browsing events, collaborating with others, and sharing ideas are also great ways to help those around you. To learn more, please free to follow my journey on Instagram
@ danaa_smith or reach out.
Pricing:
- No pricing at this time, but I am open to collaborations, opportunities, internships, shadowing, and volunteering. Please email or DM me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danasmith.portfoliobox.net/
- Instagram: @danaa_smith https://www.instagram.com/danaa_smith/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danasmith484/
