Recent O’Gorman graduate finds fast traction with fashion line

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

A Sioux Falls teen turned his COVID-19 quarantine hobby into a future in fashion, and it all started with a sewing machine.

“I got a sewing machine sophomore year when COVID hit. I was trying to find something to overcome the boredom and fell in love with making clothes,” said Harris Barnes, a recent O’Gorman High School graduate.

Barnes is like most 18-year-olds who just finished their senior year — excited for summer and looking forward to going to college in the fall — so you wouldn’t expect that he is already an entrepreneur in the making. With his now-honed sewing skills, he decided to turn his love for clothes into his own fashion line.

“The style is streetwear meets high-end fashion. I called the line ISSUE 3003, (which) stands for the year 3003. My forward-thinking, innovative and futuristic outlook on fashion and art is how the name came to be,” Barnes explained.

While he draws inspiration from designers like 1017 ALYX and Balenciaga, he credits his art teachers with helping make his fashion dreams a reality.

“O’Gorman’s excellent art program helped me pursue my interest in fashion. Mr. Frankman and Mr. Robey challenged me and supported me with my clothing design and in-classroom projects,” he added.

That support helped Harris earn the state champion title in the Class AA South Dakota visual arts competition this spring. His winning designs included a pair of handmade pants with ankle zippers “if you want a more flared look” and a unique puffer jacket with a surprise.

“It’s made out of 3M fabric, so when you take a picture of it with the flash, it flashes back with a cool effect. It took me about 12-plus hours to make,” he said with pride.

O’Gorman High School worked with Harris on a schedule that allowed him to work during school hours so he could cover the costs of his designs. He was able to be released from school during his study hall hours and work a job at T.J. Maxx to help keep his dream moving forward.

“It gave me a lot more time to work on my brand. Being able to leave school and go to work meant I had a lot more time at night to work on clothing,” he explained.

As for the future, Harris is heading to Atlanta in the fall to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design to pursue a degree in fashion. After that, he’s thinking big.

“I want to see my brand on the runway in Paris someday.”

He hopes his story inspires other high school students to pursue their dreams, even at a young age or to go after any kind of future they want for themselves.

“There’s nothing stopping you from creating what you want. There are endless possibilities in creative fields. You just have to go for it.”

If you’d like to learn more about Harris’ fashion line, visit issue3003.com or follow @harrydenims on Instagram.

For information about O’Gorman High School’s art programs or working opportunities, visit ogknights.org, or call the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools admissions director at 605-575-3358.