Sedona Scott. PROVIDED

One of Cape Coral’s own has been recognized as a top emerging designer in a highly competitive program that challenges young minds to create groundbreaking pieces using upcycled materials while weaving in personal history and cultural stories.

Sedona Scott, 22, was one of five Savannah College of Art and Design students to be honored as part of Teen Vogue’s Generation Next Class of 2024.

Chosen from more than 100 applicants, Scott’s work, which paid homage to her Hawaiian heritage and Florida ties, stood out for its creativity, sustainability, and artistry.

“It really does feel unreal,” said Scott of being chosen. “I think for me, fashion design started off as a dream. And after the past few months… it definitely feels like it’s starting to become a reality.”

Scott attended both Oasis High School and Cape Coral High School before heading to SCAD for college. She recently graduated and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in fashion design.

Cape Coral’s Sedona Scott, 22, was one of five Savannah College of Art and Design students honored as part of Teen Vogue’s Generation Next Class of 2024, a top honor that has led to an internship in New York City. Her designs, which pay homage to her Hawaiian heritage and Florida ties, stood out for their creativity, sustainability, and artistry. PROVIDED

Growing up, Scott said she always had a passion for art and creativity, always painting and drawing. It wasn’t until high school that she started sewing, as her grandmother gave her a sewing machine.

“I immediately fell in love with sewing,” Scott said. “I taught myself how to sew by just watching videos, and started to do some local fashion shows in high school.

“I started off doing a lot of unconventional designs, because there wasn’t a ton of access to fabric stores in Cape Coral. I would use thrifted and recycled materials, really anything.”

At SCAD, Scott majored in fashion design, with a minor in bridal and evening wear. While her focus isn’t always on bridal designs, she always creates women’s ready-to-wear pieces.

The collection she entered into the contest included the majority of her portfolio from her time at SCAD, with the highlights being her senior collection and works.

Cape Coral’s Sedona Scott, 22, was one of five Savannah College of Art and Design students honored as part of Teen Vogue’s Generation Next Class of 2024, a top honor that has led to an internship in New York City. Her designs, which pay homage to her Hawaiian heritage and Florida ties, stood out for their creativity, sustainability, and artistry. PROVIDED

Her senior collection was titled “Lehua,” which is Scott’s middle name that has been passed down through three generations in her family, and is a Hawaiian tree that is a symbol of strength and resilience.

“You call someone Lehua when they’re beloved, skilled, strong,” Scott said. “It has a very positive connotation, and has been in my family for so long, so that’s what I wanted to focus my senior collection on.”

Scott’s collection was selected by an esteemed panel of judges including Teen Vogue Editor-in-Chief Versha Sharma, creator and entrepreneur Emma Chamberlain, fashion designer Bach Mai, celebrity stylist Jared Ellner. Her success showcases not only her incredible talent but also the world-class education and opportunities provided by SCAD’s top-ranked School of Fashion.

Her reaction to be selected as part of Teen Vogue’s Next Class of 2024?

“I was so happy,” Scott said, adding that she had applied to the competition since her sophomore year. “So I had always thought it would have been incredible to win. The fact I was able to win after graduating was amazing. It’s always something I wanted to be recognized for. And it was great to be recognized amongst the other SCAD students.”

Part of winning the contest includes a mentorship with one of the judges.

“It feels so amazing, because I’ve definitely looked up to these people, and just knowing that they’ve seen my work is a really cool feeling,” Scott said. “Getting to speak with one of them and be mentored will be really awesome.”

As for what gets her creative juices flowing, Scott said she gets inspired by her research, and looking at vintage and historical pieces.

“And part of my process is being hands-on,” she said. “I love to drape and sketch, and I think that you never really know what you’re going to get inspired by. Even the smallest things can lead to your greatest idea. I like to look in unconventional places for inspiration.”

For example, Scott said for her senior collection, a fashion history class at SCAD prompted a talk on Hawaiian history which included discussion of a holoku, which is a wedding dress in old Hawaii.

“That was definitely an inspiration silhouette-wise when it came to my collection,” Scott said. “Just random things like that. If I didn’t have that class that introduced me to this style of dress — I feel it definitely influenced my entire senior collection and part of the meaning behind it as well.”

While her heritage does play a role in her designs, Scott said in general, she’s very inspired by nature and having grown up in Florida.

“Growing up being surrounded by the beach and water, I think that is my biggest inspiration,” she said. “The overarching theme in my work is nature and coastal scenery.”

Scott said she most enjoys creating dresses, with feminine designs.

“When someone wears one of my dresses, I love when they feel beautiful,” she said. “I think that’s the biggest thing for me.”

Scott said while attending SCAD, she was surrounded by so many creative and like-minded minds.

“There were all different types of creativity and different types of collaborations you could find, so when it came to my senior collection, I was able to collaborate with photographers and filmmakers, and print designers.”

Since being able to add her distinction to her resume, Scott landed an internship with one of her favorite designers, Ulla Johnson, and has relocated to the fashion hub that is New York City.

“It’s really amazing here. Until you come (to New York City) and you realize all of the opportunity that’s available — there’s a lot of creatives in New York,” she said.

The end goal for Scott? To have her name on her own designer brand.

“I’ve always wanted to have my own brand and run my own company,” she said. “It’s been a dream of mine since I started sewing. That’s the future plan for myself if I can make it happen.”

Scott was also chosen to have her designs modeled on a runway at the SCAD fashion show that is attended by high-profile names, where the works of only 30 out of more than 120 students were selected.

“It was an awesome feeling to see models walk the runway wearing my collection,” Scott said.

No matter where she goes, Scott said she’ll continue to represent Florida and the feel of the Sunshine State.

“At this point, it is part of who I am,” she said. “With any sort of art that I create, it is generally coastal or Florida-related. Just growing up where I did and constantly being surrounded by it, it’s for sure going to stay with me.”

Scott also wanted to extend a “thank you” to her senior professors Gemma Marsh and Kori Urso, and mentor Fred Trembley.

“They were the best support systems throughout the entirety of my senior collection,” she said. “Whether it was in its creation, or giving me feedback on how to make it better. They were really amazing to have around.”