From LCC to NYC

In the busy halls of Lansing Community College’s costumeshop, Claire and Shawn Buitendorp greet their work with warm smiles.Surrounded by cloth, costumes and the whir of sewing machines, the21-year-old twins are truly in their element.

Years ago, Claire Buitendorp wrote an essay, “My Passionfor Fashion,” that secured her an honor scholarship to LCC. Today, thatpassion is blossoming into success for both sisters.

Although they just turned 21 in April, the pair hasalready graduated from LCC’s fashion design program, created a dressfor singer Katy Perry and secured internships with designer BetseyJohnson in New York; they arrived just in time for the excitement ofFashion Week.

Yet theirs is a story that begins, as such things often do, with family. 

Starting young

The twins got their first taste of creativity as far backas elementary school, from their grandmothers. One loved to shop, oneloved to sew — and it was in blending the two passions together thatthe Buitendorp sisters set out to find their own signature style.

It wasn’t until high school that things started to lineup. By then, Shawn and Claire were experimenting in making their ownclothes and modifying the ones they had. They cut out images theyliked, took painter’s grade masking tape and laid them into theirshirts for clean, sharp images and a unique blending, in what Clairedescribed as “guerrilla style.”

“In high school we were really good at mathematics,”Shawn said. “Only now do I see how suited we were to fashion design.It’s mathematical. It’s like being an architect, but with clothes.”

Like any great architects, they have started to createtheir own images. Shawn’s styles are the edgier of the pair, whileClaire’s are more “floral” and “feminine.”

The two components merge in their designs; they both enjoy things that suit the body and flatter the physique.

They credit this union of thought as something that sets them apart in the fashion industry.

“We work off each other’s strengths and ideas,” Clairesaid. “People have tried to split us up, but we can get so much moredone together.” 

“We know what we want and how to get it," Shawn added.“We know what we like without having to say it. Together, we’re likethree or four people working.”

Betsey Johnson — a woman they eagerly hold up assomething of an idol — apparently agreed. Although the New Yorkdesigner only offers 10 internships a semester, both Claire and Shawnwere accepted earlier this year. 

“We bought our first Betsey dress senior year of highschool,” Shawn said. “In three years time, to be able to make qualityclothes and work in a room with Betsey is amazing. When you think aboutit, three years isn’t very long.”

For the internship, the pair and their associate degreescompeted against designers from across the country, includingbachelor’s degree students from schools in New York.

“I think what probably helped was our first-handexperience,” Shawn said. “It’s wonderful to come up with ideas, but youneed to be able to make them, too. It helps that we sew and construct alot.”

The honor comes with its pressures,though. The sisters arrived at their internship just two weeks beforeone of the largest fashion events in the country, and the demands ofpreparing for Fashion Week will put their multitasking talents to thetest.

If anything proved they can handle it, though, it was their time spent designing for Katy Perry. 

Designers to the stars

It began in January, with a presentexchange. The Buitendorp sisters were turning 21 and wanted to get oneanother something special. Given that both love Katy Perry, concerttickets for her concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills seemed just thething — especially ones that came with meet-and-greet passes. 

For a once in a lifetime opportunity, they decided tomake themselves outfits. Then they took that extra leap and decided tomake one for Perry, too. Using pictures online and a few articles toget an idea of Perry’s general dimensions, they came to the conclusionthat her measurements were similar to their own.

Then the real work began. After sixmonths of labor and hundreds of dollars of their own money, theyfinished their dress, an outfit Claire described as a “one-pieceswimsuit with a skirt” and hearts on top, to fit Perry’s candy-themedtour.

When they were able to hand it to Perry in person, they saw their reward. 

“I recall she said, even if it didn’t fit, she’d have itresized to fit,” Shawn said. Perry has worn it 12 times since — thatthey know of — often to greet other fans. Pictures of Perry in theBuitendorp-designed outfit can be found on her media website.

Keep going

The Buitendorps credit much of theirsuccess to the fashion programs at LCC, which they say are not onlycomprehensive, but also teach one of the most important concepts,according to Shawn: to think for yourself.

The sisters are concerned, however, thatthe very program they say helped them reach this point in their careersis going to be up for review — and possible axing — in December. LCC’sinterior design program has already been cut.

“Our skills are reflective of howwonderful this program is,” Claire said. “We really have all of ourteachers to thank for teaching us the skills to do this.”

But while LCC’s fashion future remainsuncertain, the sisters are eagerly thinking about what awaits them inNew York. (Earlier this week, they were assisting with a photo shootfor singer Nicki Minaj.) They might even venture into the blogospherewhile they’re away, both as a way to keep connected with friends andfamily, and to document their own evolution of style.

“You can never stop the momentum,” Claire said. “You just have to keep going.”