When COVID-19 hit, Abbigail Dansby was an assistant designer in New York. Her daily routine involved communicating with factories, approving designs, sketching and more. But the pandemic disrupted the fashion world.

“Not a lot of people were buying clothes. Factories slowed down. It was different,” Dansby said.

She put her skills and sewing machine to use to slow the spread of the pandemic. Dansby saw a need for masks and sewed more than 500. She even personally delivered some to health care workers.

“I think it’s good to keep going and take things day by day,” Dansby said, at the time.

A jumpstart to her career

Dansby started working as a designer in New York City after graduating from Missouri State in 2018. She received a degree in fashion design and product development.

“I ended up in New York because of an internship I did for my degree program,” Dansby said. “My professors really pushed me to apply to different places.”

That push provided Dansby with opportunities to help launch her career.

Connecting with current Bears

Dansby has shared her generous spirit with Bears, too. Each spring, Merchandising and Fashion Design (MFD) faculty members provide an optional study away program to NYC. A highlight of the program for students is meeting with alumni who work in the fashion industry. Dansby has met with MFD Bears to share career advice.

Since the start of the pandemic, Dansby moved to Kansas City and is working as an adjunct professor at Johnson County Community College in their Fashion Design and Merchandising Department.

Learn more about programs in merchandising and fashion design.