Texas Woman’s University Senior Fashion Show 2024: A Celebration of Design and Merchandising
April 24, 2024 – DENTON – This year’s Senior Fashion Show at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) promises to be a groundbreaking event, celebrating not only the creativity of its senior designers but also the essential role of merchandising in the fashion industry. The show, named Unearthed Auras, will take place on May 3, 2024, in the Blagg-Huey Library and will showcase a unique blend of fashion design and merchandising through the collaborative efforts of students across multiple disciplines.
A New Approach to Fashion Education
Traditionally, the Senior Fashion Show has primarily highlighted garments created by fashion design students as part of their capstone projects. However, this year, the Division of Fashion Design and Merchandising is expanding its horizons. According to Remy Odukomaiya, MFA and lecturer I, “We have typically only shown fashion design garments and the work that the fashion design students produce for their capstone. This year, we’re including merchandising. All senior students taking fashion design and merchandising will be showing their work.” This shift illustrates TWU’s commitment to providing a comprehensive education that combines both the creative and business aspects of fashion.
Dr. Anna Magie, PhD, the associate professor and division head, adds, “Designers and merchandisers are all interconnected. That’s one of the great things about TWU that other universities don’t do. A lot of other schools just design in one program, merchandise in another, maybe even fashion marketing in another. But we’re all intertwined here, so I think it helps students when they graduate.”
The Event: Unearthed Auras
The 2024 Senior Fashion Show, Unearthed Auras, will commence with pop-up shops organized and designed by TWU fashion students, opening at 5 p.m., followed by the runway show at 6:30 p.m. The pop-up shops will feature storefronts and interiors that students have digitally designed, incorporating elements of interior design, space planning, and marketing strategies. “They research a target market. Based upon their type of their store, they have to determine how many units of tops, how many bottoms, how many accessories go in that store, so there’s space planning,” Magie explains. This hands-on experience is invaluable for students preparing to enter the competitive fashion industry.
A Diverse Range of Fashion Styles
The runway portion of the evening is expected to showcase approximately 40 outfits, with students presenting a diverse array of styles. “Some of the design students are doing street wear,” Odukomaiya mentions. “We have some doing bridal, and we have one doing menswear. But it’s a whole blend from day wear to evening.” This variety not only reflects current fashion trends but also showcases the versatility and creativity of TWU students.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry
One of the most exciting features of this year’s event is the participation of industry professionals. Representatives from various fashion companies will attend the show to evaluate students’ work and potentially recruit them for internships and job opportunities. Odukomaiya emphasizes the importance of this interaction, stating, “We’ve got a wide range of industry professionals who come in and take a look at what the students do. It’s been a great relationship between our department and those companies. We’ve actually had students secure internships and some long-term jobs.”
This connection between education and industry is crucial as it allows students to gain real-world feedback on their designs and merchandising strategies, enhancing their employability upon graduation. “They’re looking for creativity and for marketability in their designs,” Odukomaiya notes. “This is a business, and whatever you produce has to be marketable. You have to be able to sell it.”
Skills for Success in Fashion
Beyond creativity and design, the Senior Fashion Show emphasizes essential skills such as project management, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Dr. Magie highlights, “A lot of problems certainly arise. Leadership, and just how they interact with one another. Because think about the workplace. Many students can graduate with the skills of knowing how to construct a garment, but not all of them can interact well. So that’s our other piece we work on very diligently.” This holistic approach prepares students not just as designers or merchandisers but as well-rounded professionals ready to tackle the challenges of the fashion industry.
Meet the Emerging Talent
Among the talented students participating in this year’s Senior Fashion Show is Ninna Zarate, a dual degree major who will graduate with degrees in fashion merchandising and fashion design. Her work exemplifies the innovative spirit and dedication present in the TWU fashion program and underscores the university’s mission to cultivate future leaders in the fashion industry.
Event Details
The Senior Fashion Show: Unearthed Auras will be held on:
- Date: Friday, May 3, 2024
- Location: Blagg-Huey Library, first floor
- Retail Market: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Fashion Show: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Tickets: $7 standing, $12 seated, $50 VIP bundle
- Parking: Look for the ParkMobile signs at visitor’s parking spaces ($1.50 per hour)
For further information, interested parties can contact Dr. Anna Magie at amagie@twu.edu.
Conclusion
The Texas Woman’s University Senior Fashion Show 2024 promises to be a remarkable event that not only showcases the creative talents of its students but also highlights the vital intersection of design and merchandising in the fashion industry. By fostering collaboration between different disciplines and engaging with industry professionals, TWU is preparing its students to thrive in a competitive environment. As the fashion landscape continues to evolve, events like Unearthed Auras will play a crucial role in shaping the future of fashion education and professional practice.
