For many high school students, their desks are strewn with math problems, history readings, graded papers, and English books. Their workspaces are either cluttered with homework and research or intricately organized into class schedules and agendas. Instead of the pens that splatter their desks and the lined paper that clogs their drawers, Senior Simon Goldman’s desk is filled with bins of denim, cotton, and burlap. Where other students may have stacked binders of classwork, Goldman has an industrial sewing machine bolted into the table. And while many students grow tired and frustrated with their workload, Goldman spends an extra two to three hours each night designing and sewing his own collection of clothes.

As a sophomore, Goldman began creating clothes when his mom suggested he recreate a shirt he wanted instead of spending money to buy it. With no prior experience, Goldman went thrifting and cut up six different shirts to sew them all together into a replica of the original shirt.

Some of his pieces will be on display at the School of the Art Institute, or he will walk them in the runway show for other high school classes there. “I also wear a lot of my clothes outside, but not usually in school because they’re not basic garments to just wear,” Goldman said. “I like to repurpose materials, so I’ve used decommissioned military duffels from World War II that I’ve repurposed into jackets, backpacks, and all different kinds of garments.”

So far, Goldman has produced multiple collections and three different pieces that were in the School of the Art Institute’s fashion show. Goldman particularly enjoys making jeans and can stitch together a pair from scraps of denim in under 40 minutes. The hardest garment he has created is a long wool overcoat due to the expensive material cost.

As one of Goldman’s close friends, senior Abby Smith, admires his ability and creations. “It’s amazing to see the process of him making something,” Smith said. “He’s able to make cutouts and prints of an outfit and then turn it into real clothing.”

In December, Goldman’s girlfriend and fellow senior Zoe Laris-Djokovic attended his SAIC Final in which the whole outfit was made entirely in burlap. According to Laris-Djokovic, the outfit looked completely professional, and her favorite part was the coat.

Freshmen and Sophomore Learning Resources Teacher Julie Holman met Goldman sophomore year after he approached her with an academic question. They bonded over their mutual interest in fashion, and Holman has since seen many of Goldman’s sketches and designs, including a customizable architectural setting which one can customize the top and pants, and mix–and–match both.

As Goldman’s interest in fashion intensified, he and his parents converted their guest bedroom in the basement into a sewing room where he has industrial sewing machines and a studio. Though he started with a small home sewing machine, he recently upgraded to an industrial factory 200-pound sewing machine, purchased from Craigslist.

According to Laris-Djokovic, one of the coolest aspects of Goldman’s interest in the transformation of his house to suit his passion. “It’s so crazy because he has a bunch of random pants lying around, and I can never tell if they’re store-bought or if he made them,” Laris-Djokovic said. “Everything he makes looks so professional and realistic, and it’s so impressive to see his work.”

Over the past two years, Goldman has balanced his school work and passion that consumes much of his time. “When I get close to my Art Institute shows, it’s crunch time to get everything done,” Goldman said. “But I find sewing and making the clothes calming and therapeutic, so it’s never something I stress about.”

Goldman began working on his designs for seven hours every Sunday at the Art Institute and sewing for two to three hours most nights last year. “My idea was to overwork myself and see that if I don’t get bored by doing so much of it, I know it’s a passion and something I wanted to pursue,” Goldman said. “That’s when I realized I really loved what I was doing.”

In the past year, Goldman has been working on his portfolio for application to art school. Goldman applied Early Action to Parsons School of Design in New York and received his admission in early November. Goldman began looking at international schools for fashion when a summer program at Pratt a few years ago solidified his thoughts about entering the industry.

“We’ve had students with designs in fashion, and they’ve opened up a website and sold some of their work,” Holman said. “It’s just figuring out where you want to go with it.”

Goldman chose Parsons due to its opportunities, connections, and renowned second ranking of all fashion schools in the world. “I’ll be working closely with names like Marc Jacobs, who’s a famous alumnus,” Goldman said. “I’ll work at fashion shows there and get to meet people in the industry starting freshman year.” Next year, Goldman will work on his technique and form contacts in the fashion world.

“Finding people in the industry is the tough part, so I want to find the right people and start working on my collections and doing my shows,” Goldman said. “I only work in menswear now, but I want to start in womenswear too.”

According to Holman, the fashion industry is just like any other industry in which the core is business, and she is optimistic for Goldman’s experience at Parsons. “He’ll be able to flush out his expertise, and I think it’s a good and creative environment for him to be in,” Holman said. “He’s passionate, he’s talented, and I’m hoping that he can make some really good connections while he’s there and work with designers.”

Laris-Djokovic has similar hopes for Goldman’s future in New York.“I hope he finds his stride and gets helpful internships,” Laris-Djokovic said, “and that he’s recognized for his talent.”

Goldman also aims to put on a fashion show at the end of the summer before he leaves for New York. “Renting out a space to do my collections is my goal, ” Goldman said. “I have not commissioned or sold anything yet, so that’s what I’m working on right now.”