My Other Talent: Audrey Barber

The Winter 2021 issue of ONE MARYLAND Magazine recently arrived in the mailboxes of Terrapin Club members. ONE MARYLAND features stories of strength and perseverance, of determination and spirit. These stories define our athletics program, and this new magazine will allow us to share these stories with you. Over the next few weeks, we will be rolling out some of these stories on umterps.com as a preview of what you will find in ONE MARYLAND. To receive future issues of the magazine when they debut, please join the Terrapin Club. We hope you enjoy.

Known for her perfect dismounts, record-breaking routines, Audrey Barber is one of the best gymnasts to wear the bedazzled Maryland leotard. Her laser-focus on all four events combined with her calming poise during competition has earned her consistent high-scores among judges and allowed her to emerge early on as a leader in the gym. In her free time, however, Barber delves into another creative interest: fashion.

“It’s a great way to let out my creative energy, which is something that I don’t get a chance to do in my everyday life,” said Barber. “It’s a great outlet from school, practice, and workouts, it’s just something that always makes me happy.”

Photo credit: Collea Burgess

Barber grew up watching her mother sew and didn’t take up the hobby until the tail end of high school.

“My mom would always try and get me to sew with her, at first I wasn’t into it, but once I got into it, I enjoyed it a lot,” said Barber. “I really started developing different skills when I couldn’t find clothes that fit me the way I wanted in the stores, so I decided to make my own.”

Barber describes her style as minimalistic and preppy while being sure to accessorize. A drastic difference from the glitter and glamour on display during gymnastics meets. “It’s too very different modes,” said Barber, “I’ll get all dolled up for gymnastics, and I enjoy doing that, but on the daily, I like to keep it more simple, that’s where I get to wear some of my own designs.”

Over the summer Barber put her sewing machine to timely use and made masks for friends and family members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She plans to pursue fashion school upon earning her degree and continue on in the world of design and fashion merchandising.

“One day I could see myself in New York or Paris, but right now I’ll keep teaching myself on my sewing machine.”