Zachary William Allen may be just 23, but he has already received press for his incredible talent as a fashion designer on both the Worcester scene and in Boston. His looks are edgy. They utilize bold color palettes and, because they are so fashion-forward, are not for the faint of heart. Allen’s attention to detail is impeccable, which allows him to shine not only in creating clothes, but also in jewelry-making and handbag design. Yes, Zachary is a triple threat.

Born and raised in Worcester, Allen has always loved all forms of art. Supported by an incredible network of family and teachers, he attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design where, even as a freshman, Allen was on the hunt to find the major that he’d love, one that would also someday lead him to a job. Fashion was it.

“I’ve always been very school-oriented,” says Allen. “So I was always pushing myself. Even if a teacher said, ‘That probably won’t work,’ I’d still do it anyway because whether it worked or not, I’d learn something from it. When people see that you’re serious about something and that you won’t give in, that’s when they start to notice you.”

One of Allen’s first projects was to create a non-textile piece ~ a dress made of out items that weren’t fabric. The assignment may have stumped most, but the Worcester designer rose to the occasion with a mix of inspiration and innovation. Allen was working at H&M at the time and the store’s deliveries would arrive in boxes sealed with huge plastic ties, similar to the ties wrapped around bulk newspaper deliveries.

“The ties were black and white,” remembers Allen, “so I wove them together into a dress.”

After graduation (Allen was named a top fashion grad), the designer moved to New York City and is seeking opportunities to break into the world of fashion. He is working full-time at Jonathan Adler, an incredible interior design/decor company, and being in a place with gorgeous, well-designed and well-made work inspires him on a daily basis.

The fashion industry isn’t all parties and paparazzi: even the hardest working, most creative minds need capital for their projects, and Allen is no different. He’s currently looking for a few funding fairy godmothers (or godfathers!) who understand his design visions and can give him the support he needs to make his dreams come true. In the meantime, Allen can be found working away at his latest designs during his off-hours.

“A lot of inspiration comes from things that aren’t considered beautiful or things that are just plain weird,” Allen says. “There are days I just can’t stop making things ~ it’s ingrained in me.”

Photo by Diego Navarro