Standing backstage, she watches the colorful fabrics and designed garments flowing freely across the runway.

One design and model in particular catches her attention.

Taking a step at a time and leaning on her walker, the model, who is also her sister brings the tulip-inspired tutu creation to life with every move she makes.

Drea DiMassa, 23, fashion design major, said that her interest in designing garments that cater to children with special needs started when her sister was born.

“My sister opened my eyes and inspires me to care for children with special needs,” DiMassa said. “Seeing her struggle with her condition has really just touched me in so many ways. Things that we take for granted like buttoning a shirt can be complex for them. I want to make clothing that will allow them to get in and out of a clothing easily and comfortably.”

She added that, aside from designing clothes for children, she also donates her time and some of her designs to help raise funds for a charity that takes care of young boys who have fatal muscle conditions.

The charity is called

Looking back, DiMassa said she started her interest in fashion when she was in second grade.

“I remember I would always try to rebel against my mom’s will, although she just wanted me to focus on getting an education more than worrying about what I was going to wear,” DiMassa said. “I would always try to wear makeup to school. She would remind me that I am not going to school to do a fashion show but to learn.”

Ever since then, DiMassa said she had acquired a strong sense of fashion and has enjoyed designing.

“I love being creative,” she said. “I love just being able to conceive something in my mind and be able to put it on paper and actually go to the process of drafting a pattern and selecting and cutting the fabric then sewing it together. Then I alter the design as I go along, until I get the look that I want.”

DiMassa has been honing her talent with the help of Lynn Strobel fashion design instructor, who has seen her work improve over the course of the classes she (DiMassa) had taken.

“She has a strong fashion sense,” Strobel said. “She also knows how to work her pattern and she knows how to drape beautifully. Drea (DiMassa) works hard and is full of determination. She has what it takes to succeed in fashion business and in life.”

Strobel added that DiMassa had exception-al talent in making children’s garments thatwas recognized during the 2011 EC fashion show as the best designer collection.

“Drea (DiMassa) is always fascinated with children,” Strobel added. “She had a collection of adorable, beautiful, light and very ‘costumy’ children’s clothing.”

But just like how it can be tedious to create and execute a design, DiMassa’s life is not without a challenge she said.

“Right now life is a balancing act,” she said. “My schedule is super-packed all the time. I go to school full-time, have a 3-month old baby, work full-time as a nanny of a little girl who has a special condition and design and manage products for my online business. I have a lot going on right now.”

Although DiMassa has a lot on her plate, she plans to keep working toward her goal of making garments and designs for people with disabilities.

Blair Hernandez, 22, fashion design major, said that DiMassa always has an unselfish and friendly personality both in her work and in helping others.

“She is really nice and approachable,” Hernandez said. “Whenever I see her she is like ‘I just want to put you on a (fashion) show.’ She gives good criticisms whenever we need her opinion on our garments.”

DiMassa said she aims to use fashion not only for the sake of being fashionable, but she wants to use it as a tool to give others comfort and bright outlook in life.

“Fashion designing opened a lot of doors,” DiMassa said. “For one I was able to get my name out there. But it allows me to help people while doing something that I love doing.”