Reader of the Week: Shana Lee Feeley

Self-starting fashionista gets schooled by Teen Vogue

By Molly Lynch
Published: December 8th, 2008 | 5:05pm

Not many 22-year-olds can say they’ve taken fashion classes taught by the likes of Tim Gunn and Vera Wang — but for Venus Zine reader Shana Feeley, it’s a reality that has helped make her career what it is today.

So, you were a graduate from “Teen Vogue Fashion U.” What was that all about?

“Teen Vogue Fashion U” is a weekend-long event where you take classes taught by some of the best in the fashion industry like Doo Ri Chung, Tim Gunn, Vera Wang, Erin Fetherston, and many more. You go to a fashion show and learn a lot about how to start your career in fashion.

Where did the name Shana’s Shoe Box come from?

The name … actually refers to the size of my shop, and really all the shops in the area. My shop is one of 20 located along the waterfront shores of Lake Ontario. All of the shops, boutiques, and stores are all around the same size. My shop turned out to be the smallest in width, so I found it fitting to call it a “shoe box.” People often hold a mix of items in their shoe boxes, so another use of the name comes in to play: I sell my clothing designs, artwork, paintings, jewelry, candles, pillows, soaps, sand candles, walking sticks, and my father’s poems and pen and ink art work. Every item in my shop is handmade by myself, or my friends and family.

What would you say is the inspiration behind your designs?

My biggest inspiration would have to be nature, and keeping things cute and girlie. I enjoy having my designs show the best assets of everyone who wears them, and still show off the joys of being a girl!

What advice would you give someone trying to break into the fashion industry?

Always stay true to yourself. Be inspired by trends, but remember they come and go, so don’t let them take center stage over your work. Too many people follow trends in and out, and lose themselves along the way. Also, take the advice others give you with a smile — there trying to help you out and not hurt you. Have a lot of fun, and enjoy yourself. Fashion is about being who you are.