Seniors majoring in apparel and textiles showcased their designs Sunday night at the Bama Theatre during the Fashion for Life fall fashion show.
The show featured 18 designers, which was twice the number from last year’s show. It was a loud, bold and memorable moment for many of the fashion students.
“This is something that’s been on all of our minds for a year now,” said Lainey Weirich, a senior majoring in apparel and textiles who was one of the designers. “It’s exhilarating to be here, and it’s been a long time coming.”
The students were told to start envisioning what they wanted to create last semester and started working on their collection in August. They had three months to prepare for the show, and Weirich said they traditionally work on one outfit per month, though are not limited to only three pieces.
“It was just a fun, healthy environment to work in with all these people that I’ve really gotten to know so well this past semester,” Weirich said. “It’s really brought us together, and it’s been such a special thing.”
Beyond the textures, lengths and patterns, which were chosen for specific reasons based on the students’ visions, the name of the collection was also a personal choice for the designer, with some names describing the vision and others crediting the inspiration behind the outfits.
Some of the designers — such as Anna Liebbe, who goes by the name “Wings” — added aspects of their family into the clothing; Liebbe’s “An Ode to Childhood” collection had each outfit dedicated to one of her siblings. Others took ideas from areas around them, like Ty Helms’ “Inspired by Her” collection where each outfit was based on a woman in his life.
The models were chosen by the designers, some being coworkers and others being friends.
“I was more than impressed with everything that was going on because the attention to detail is immaculate,” said TJ Upchurch, a senior majoring in creative media and a model for Liebbe’s collection.
Since the students only had so much room in the studios to work with, some cut clothing on the floor, in the library or in their own homes.
With how many designers there were this semester, Brian Taylor, a senior instructor for the student designers and interim chair in apparel and textiles, said that what made the show exciting was the worry of how Bama Theatre and the show hosts was going to present all 18 designers, but also that he was happy for the larger amount than last year.
“I’m very proud of their work ethic, their individual styles and being able to pull this off,” Taylor said.
After the show was over, designers and models gathered in the lobby to be congratulated by family and friends.
Students kept the clothing they made, and they had the choice to do what they wanted with it. Taylor said some students sell the clothing to audience members, others give it to the models and some take it home to keep.
Weirich expressed her pride about the exhibit and her fellow designers.
“I just couldn’t be prouder of all my classmates and everything they’ve achieved over the past couple years here,” she said. “We’re expected to work hard, but when you’re doing something you love, it isn’t much of a bother.”
