Creativity Connects Norwalk: Meet Trish McQuillen

Creativity Connects Norwalk

What fuels a vibrant, connected and creative community? What makes people feel good about living in Norwalk?

When locals share the creativity that they uncover in the nooks and crannies of their community it brings about connectivity and makes us all feel good.

Believe it or not, you discover creativity every day as you walk, shop, work, and play in Norwalk. 

Creativity connects us.

Meet Trish McQuillen, Norwalk resident, wardrobe consultant and founder of Style Design.

Any place in town where you go for inspiration and creativity?

For positive energy and inspiration, I attend a Joyride spin class with Mo Prester. He’s been a terrific mentor for both exercising and looking at life with gratitude and empathy. His class is a combination of enthusiasm, fabulous music mixes and cathartic exercise. When you leave his classes, you just feel as though you want to return the favor by helping someone or just by being a better person.  

How does creativity connect you to Norwalk?

I give a few hours of my time to help out at New England Fashion & Design in South Norwalk.  Irina Simeonova has wonderful programs for both youth and adults offering classes in design, figure drawing, illustration, and computer-aided fashion design.  Watching her sit down and sketch an elaborately dressed model in just minutes, is an attest to a vivid imagination and true design skills.  I find that, because of my time with Irina, I am a more creative person while offering my personal styling services to my clients. 

Is there an organization in town that makes you feel good?

I would say it’s Norwalk Youth Travel Basketball.  It began 11 years ago as a way for kids, from 5th to 8th grades, to hone their basketball skills and work as a team to experience true travel basketball.  Run by both coaches and parents, Norwalk was one of the very few cities in CT without a travel team thus leaving them without the growth and skills they need to develop into a high school basketball player.  The organization builds, not only skills but self-confidence as well as offering an outlet and safe environment for kids to play after school and on weekends.  Volunteering with this group has provided us with self-gratification and many new friends!  My husband coached the very first 5th-grade team and still, to this day, the boys get together for dinner at our house just to reminisce about the great shots, tough losses and funny moments they shared, together. 

Creativity Connects Norwalk is made possible by LIFEWTR.

If you are a local creative and interested in being featured in our series, please email creativityconnects@hamlethub.com

The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HamletHub or LIFEWTR. 

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Submitted by Norwalk, CT

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