Why this Birmingham native chose The University of Alabama: Support for her evolving career path

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If she’s not traveling the world with her family, you can find Laken Thompson in The University of Alabama (UA)’s Drummond Lyon Hall working on her newest designs.

We talked to Laken about her experience in UA’s apparel design program: what she’s learned, memorable moments and what’s next. See why this Birmingham native didn’t have to travel far to find an education that helped showcase her unique skill set.

Meet Laken Thompson

Hailing from Mountain Brook, Laken Thompson loves to spend time with her friends on UA’s campus and travel to new places to immerse herself in new cultures.

Laken has always been a huge Alabama fan and deep down, she knew she was destined to attend The University of Alabama. Her mom and her best friends all went to UA, and Laken wanted to follow in those footsteps.

Though she started her college path at UA four years ago, her career plan has evolved along the way—all thanks to the creative inspiration and career guidance she picked up during her time at the school.

Schedule a tour or apply to see the resources UA gives Laken + other students.

Laken immersed herself in fashion design

Laken started her freshman year at UA as a finance major. When she quickly realized that math was not her strong suit, she started down a new path: apparel design.

“My mom had a clothing boutique when I was growing up, and I loved packing orders and working on the back end stuff, so I already had a little bit of knowledge of how wholesale fashion works.

I used to sketch out what I was looking for in my head and go into stores trying to find them. So my mom was like, ‘Why don’t you just go into design, and then one day you can just make it?’ So that’s why I finally decided on apparel design.”

Laken Thompson

Laken got to show off this design in a fashion show led by UA students! (The University of Alabama)

Finding inspiration from the Italian couture house Schiaparelli, Laken loves making unique, whimsical pieces for her own collection.

Thanks to the hands-on courses offered through UA’s Apparel and Textiles program, Laken got to show off a couple of her designs at a student-led fashion show at the end of last year.

“In one class, they give us a set of guidelines and show us how to make a color, how to drape, how to make a pattern and things like that.

We make our own clothes and at the end of the semester, we have a big fashion show.

Not a lot of schools have a fashion program to begin with, and even if they do, a lot of them don’t have a full-production fashion show for students to model in.”

Laken Thompson

See how UA is the place “Where Legends Are Made”

As one of four students featured in UA’s “Where Legends Are Made” campaign, Laken inspires future students—and legends—to choose UA.

Why? Because there’s something for everyone.

Brodie Alexander, a computer engineer currently getting his master’s in electrical engineering at UA, agrees. Check out his story!

“No matter what you do—whether you want to be in Greek life or major in business, finance, public relations or dance—you’re always going to have a place.

I’ve made connections that I never would have met in another place.

Alabama does a really great job of giving students every opportunity that they could ever dream of.”

Laken Thompson

As Laken seeks graduation in May and applies for jobs in London, New York and more fashion-forward cities, she holds on tight to the lessons learned and connections made at The University of Alabama.

See how the University of Alabama prepares Laken, Brodie + countless other students—schedule a tour or apply today!

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