De Soto High School is home to many talented students; from football stars to acting prodigies to academic scholars, DHS has it all. One girl whose talents are unique from all others, is junior Lauren Marsden.

    Marsden has been designing and creating dresses since her eighth grade year when she was assigned a design project in art class.

    “[My] eighth grade art project we had to do a fashion design or an interior design and do a sketch, so I did some sketches of dresses. I really liked it and that inspired me to start sewing,” Marsden said.

    Marsden has made many dresses since then, including several for dances at DHS.

    “I have loved all of them [the dresses],” Marsden said. “I’m in the process of making my prom dress right now. [My favorite] is the first dress that I ever really made, which was my homecoming freshman year dress.”

    Marsden’s mom, Danelle Marsden, has been one of Lauren’s biggest support systems throughout the years.

    “Watching Lauren sit down and draw something that she then tells me that she plans on wearing absolutely blows my mind,” Danelle said. “It is such a proud moment to watch her excitement when she puts that dress on that she made by herself.”

    Lauren’s designs are eclectic in such a way that she gains inspiration for them in just about everything.

    “I am just very inspired by absolutely everything. People are inspiring,” Lauren said.

    “[A] bigger moment was when she was inspired by a dress that she had seen,” Danelle said. “She told me that she only liked the embroidery on the dress and showed me a drawing that she had made from the inspiration.”

    For Lauren, this is not just a hobby. It is a possible career pathway, but more importantly, a way to express herself.

    “My confidence has been what I wear … I used to not be confident at all. Growing up I was just shy. I was very lost,” Lauren said. “So I started finding my passion through fashion. It just came naturally.”

    Lauren plans on attending Savannah College of Art and Design and eventually start her own business.

    “As designing is currently a hobby for her [Lauren], her dad and I will support her if she chooses a career path in fashion design,” Danelle said. “Besides, I would love to be the first one to purchase a ‘Lauren Marsden’ original right off the rack.”