Indianapolis native's fashion line to be sold at major department store chain

SAVANNAH, GA (08/15/2012)(readMedia)-- 23-year-old Indianapolis native Faith Thornberg, Lawrence Central High School graduate and 2011 Savannah College of Art and Design fashion school graduate, has been selected as a winner of the Southern Designer Showcase competition sponsored by Belk Department Stores. Faith's collection will go on sale Spring 2013 in select Belk stores and on Belk.com. It will also be featured in Belk's 125th Anniversary Celebration advertising campaign.

"I cried when I found out I had won the Belk competition," said Faith. "This means so much to me. It shows that after working so hard, people are responding to my designs and really love what I'm doing. Having a relationship with Belk is going to do wonders for my career. I'll be a part of their ad campaign next year and will be featured on their website and social media pages. I could never reach the amount of people they do on a daily basis. This is bound to lead to some great new growth opportunities for me and my business."

Faith found her passion for fashion in high school. "I started doodling sketches in high school," said Faith. "I carried a sketchbook with me, so whenever I felt inspired, I'd draw a little something. I still have those notebooks and recently found them when I was packing my things in Savannah; they're pretty hilarious to look at!"  Her fashion memories go back to elementary school when "I would take the sheets off my bed and drape them around my body, pretending I was walking down the runway at Fashion Week. Our hallway was my catwalk, naturally."

Competitors were challenged to create designs that match Belk's identity of "Modern. Southern. Style." Faith was one of 15 winners selected from more than 170 aspiring designer entrants in the competition.

"We are so pleased with the collections offered by this group of emerging designers," said Arlene Goldstein, vice president of trend merchandising and fashion direction for Belk. "We are thrilled to be able to introduce new brands that represent the talented South and the modern, Southern style Belk delivers every day."

Faith showed her collection on the runways of New York City during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2011 as part of SCAD's "Fashion Next" partnership with ELLE Magazine. She won the ELLE Design Award, a grant of $25,000 and was featured in the December 2011 issue of the magazine.

As a bridal designer, Faith says the best part of her job is "seeing a bride shed a tear when she sees herself in the dress I created for her; it gives me the warm fuzzies!"

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors. Visit scad.edu.