Charity Fashion Show to Feature Students’ Designs

Charity Fashion Show to Feature Students’ Designs

By Tabby Brown

Ten UA students’ fashion designs will hit the runway on Sunday as part of Fashion for Life, the College of Human Environmental Sciences’ annual fashion show that raises money for a selected charity.

“The Fashion for Life runway event is a culminating experience for our apparel design students,” said Brian Taylor, instructor of advanced apparel design. “It is an opportunity for the students to discover how fashion and their creativity can give back to the community through their chosen charity.”

This year’s event will benefit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. ADAA is an international nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and co-occurring disorders through education, practice and research.

Designers started researching trends, finding inspiration, sketching and buying fabrics over the summer. On the first day of class this fall, advanced apparel design students began creating their collections by making a garment every couple of weeks.

Collections are based on each student’s design philosophy and chosen target market. This year’s show will include evening, career, casual and lounge wear. Following the event, guests will be able to speak with the designers about their collections during a meet and greet.

“I’m extremely proud of the hard work and dedication these 10 design students have shown this year,” said Taylor. “They each have a unique sense of style and point of view. The collection development process and fashion show experiences mimic what they will encounter once entering the apparel industry.”

The 10 designers are Jeff Austin of Birmingham; Mary Bell of Dallas, Texas; Mingyi Bi of Dalian, China; Christina Daughenbaugh of Sacramento, California; Mary Rives Drake of Birmingham; Ryan Fries of Anderson, South Carolina; Lashandra Garner of Millbrook; Allie Gipson of Cullman; Trevor Hill of Kennesaw, Georgia; and Haven Moore of Geiger.

Fashion for Life will take place in the Ferguson Student Center Ballroom. Tickets for the fashion show are $5 and may be purchased in advance from Donna McGee in 306 Doster Hall or at the event. The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 5 p.m.