Katherine Metcalf | Contributing Writer

As the fall fashion season approaches, Smith Sinrod heads back down south on her September Streamin’ by Smith Airstream tour to present her fashion collection, titled By Smith. The first stop on her tour is presenting her collection to students at her alma mater, The University of Alabama.

Sinrod graduated from the University in 2005 from the apparel design program. She said she did not become serious about starting her own fashion line until late in her college career.

“I have always been interested in fashion,” she said. “I did not realize that I wanted to start my own line until my junior year of college, and then senior year I explored [my] options.”

Even though Sinrod is living and designing for her line in New York City, she still cites the South as an inspiration for her line.

“I definitely [still] have a Southern style,” she said.

When Sinrod was in college, she said her clothes would always fall apart. From these experiences, Sinrod said she decided she wanted to design well-made clothing women from a variety of fashion tastes could wear from day to night.

“I feel like I have something for women of all ages,” she said.

Tuscaloosa is the first stop on Sinrod’s September Streamin’ by Smith tour. Her next stops are Birmingham, Auburn and Mobile. She will also be visiting other southern states such as Tennessee and Georgia.

Sinrod said she enjoys showing her clothing on tours because she wants to give her customers more than just a great shopping experience.

“For each event [my team and I] try to create a block party trunk show to give people a fun way to shop and spend time with their friends,” Sinrod said.

Sinrod’s story serves as inspiration for many current students who want to pursue fashion careers.

Berta Amelinaite, a sophomore majoring in fashion retail, said it is motivating to see alumni becoming successful in a competitive fashion industry.

“Starting [a] line is very awesome,” she said. “There are so many opportunities in the fashion industry, but it takes hard work and effort.”

Marcy Koontz, a professor at the University, was one of Sinrod’s professors within her major. Koontz said Sinrod not only had the talent to start her own fashion line, but she understood the sacrifices of becoming a designer. Koontz said she remembers the conversation she and Sinrod had not long after Sinrod graduated from the University.

“I can remember telling her that if it was easy, everyone could do it, and you need to focus on the one yes, not the five no’s,” Koontz said.