Cupcake Liners to Couture

North Allegheny student Sidney Rice stitches sustainability and imagination into a fast-rising future in fashion.

At just 17, Sidney Rice is redefining what fashion can be—and where it can come from. A lifelong Pittsburgher, Sidney, a junior at North Allegheny Senior High School, recently earned national recognition as a 2026 YoungArts Award winner in fashion design.

Sidney’s journey began early—with thread, a needle, and creativity. “My mom taught me to sew when I was 6,” she says. “All my life, she’s been the most creative person I know. My house has always been full of paper-mache, paint sets and sewing machines.” That early encouragement laid the foundation for a passion that quickly became something more serious for Sidney.

After learning at home, Sidney expanded her skills through sewing camps and classes at Cut & Sew Studio in Morningside, where owner and instructor Catherine Batcho helped nurture her growing talent. Years later, Sidney has come full circle—now teaching classes at the very studio where she once learned the basics.

“I learned so much during my time there, and it helped grow my love for fashion,” she says. “It feels surreal to now be teaching others in that same space.”

Sidney found out she had been selected as a YoungArts winner while she was sitting in class one day. “I was mostly honored and excited to be recognized at the national level,” she says—reacting modestly to an achievement that places her among the country’s most promising young artists.

Her winning portfolio included 10 images showcasing both technical skill and conceptual depth. Three of the pieces were created entirely from repurposed materials, a defining feature of Sidney’s work.

One of those—a replica of Alice’s blue dress from “Alice in Wonderland”—was constructed from dyed book pages for the Northland Library’s annual gala. Another book-based gown followed. This time, a dramatic ball gown with a corseted bodice and ruffled skirt.

Sidney’s personal favorite, “Sunrise on the Runway,” pushed sustainability even further. Inspired by the Capitol fashion of the popular book and movies series “The Hunger Games,” the gold-toned dress was made from Goodwill quilts, fake flowers and even cupcake liners.

The piece has already appeared at Ecolution Fashion Gala and Pittsburgh Fashion Week—earning multiple honors, including a Scholastic Art & Writing American Visions nomination and first place in the Carnegie Library Teen Media Awards.

“When I create using repurposed materials, my goal is to emphasize the importance of sustainability,” says Sidney. “The fashion industry is one of the worst for the environment, so I jump at any chance I get to promote sustainability.”

Alongside her experimental work, Sidney’s portfolio also showcased traditional fashion construction, including two wedding gowns and a homecoming dress she designed herself. Both gowns earned first place at the state level through North Allegheny’s FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) chapter, with one lace design placing fifth nationally.

“I hope to pursue a career in bridal and special occasion wear,” Sidney says. “Each year, I use FCCLA to grow as a designer. The judges’ feedback really helps me identify my strengths and weaknesses.”

Sidney credits much of her artistic growth to her education and mentors within the North Allegheny School District, especially fashion teachers Megan Bailey and Elizabeth Gallagher. “The support and opportunities they’ve provided truly propelled my career,” she says. “I’ll always be incredibly grateful for them.”

As she looks toward her senior year, Sidney has her sights set on Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She hopes her YoungArts recognition will help her application stand out—and serve as encouragement that she’s on the right path.

For other young artists considering competitions like YoungArts, her advice is simple: “Just apply. You never know what will catch the eye of evaluators, and the feedback is really helpful. And of course, the honor of winning is encouraging to keep going.”

Her momentum continues this spring, with all-new pieces debuting at upcoming events including a collaboration exhibit at Westmoreland Art Museum in March, Ecolution on April 20, and the Northland Library Gala on April 25.