Ms. Barry is thrilled to be teaching the next generation of fashion professionals in the same Academy program that gave her an early jumpstart to her design career. She brings a fresh and up-to-date curriculum for a quickly changing industry to the students. She also encourages students to lean into their own personal style and self-expression. Ms. Barry is passionate about helping students with their college and portfolio application process and scholarship goals.

This year she is excited to be bringing back the Academy "Fashion in Motion" fashion show on April 29! 

For the showcase, her advanced Fashion Careers I and Fashion Careers II students are creating completely original looks, starting from concept/design, to patternmaking, sourcing materials, and advanced sewing/construction techniques. Fashion Careers I students will be creating one-of-a-kind upcycled looks thanks to a special partnership with Goodwill of Greater Washington.

Ms. Barry is an alum of the Academy Fashion program and grew up in the FCPS community attending North Springfield Elementary, Holmes Middle School, and Annandale High. After graduation, she attended Savannah College of Art and Design obtaining a BFA in Fashion Design.

Ms. Barry moved to New York City and designed for AVIVA Embroideries, J.Crew, Michael Kors Collection, and Anthropologie - establishing herself as a seasoned fashion design professional with advanced expertise in runway embellishment and embroidery techniques. With over twelve years of design experience in the fashion industry, and over six years of luxury experience, her work has been featured in numerous fashion magazines and on celebrities attending VIP red carpet events such as The Met Gala, The Emmys, The Tony’s, and The Oscars.

In 2020 she decided to follow her longtime dream of launching her premier luxury swimwear business. Working in the fashion industry, Ms. Barry gained an insider's view of the unfortunate effects of waste and the consequences of mass production on the environment and is now translating her skills and passion to create sustainable and ethically manufactured luxury swimwear that reflects the change consumers want to see.