Former Trojan looks to break into fashion industry

“We want to build a community where we can help empower each other and build our dreams.” Michelle Hanabusa struts back and forth across the Annenberg classroom, donning designer clothes from head to toe. One day she hopes people will be wearing her clothing brand, Uprising.

Hanabusa, 26, grew up in Santa Monica and moved to Palos Verdes when she was in high school so going to University of Southern California was an easy decision. She graduated from USC in 2013 where she studied design. Her affinity for graphic design came as she transitioned…