It’s not every day that college finals give students the chance to live out a childhood dream, but for some students in The University of Alabama class CTD 450: Advanced Apparel Design, the upcoming senior fashion show provides a chance to do just that.
“Fashion for Life” will take place Sunday in the Ferguson Center Ballroom and will showcase 14 students’ collections. They create their own collections from concept to production, a process that takes more than six months.
“It defines their design philosophy and tells who they are as a designer,” course instructor Brian Taylor said.
Stephanie Guld, a senior majoring in apparel design, has spent many sleepless nights preparing her collection.
“There is so much more that goes into the garments than you would think,” Guld said. “I’m a perfectionist, so I could never say I’m completely 100 percent finished.”
Guld said she realized her love for fashion at a young age and decided to study at The University of Alabama to experience college life.
“The day I walked into this school, I had never sewn before,” she said. “I had never even touched a machine. I believe that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. I’m very driven.”
Guld’s collection, “Truly Popped,” is inspired by the bold colors of pop art and features eye-catching fabrics teamed with bold shapes.
“I wanted to do something creative and different that you couldn’t just go to a store and see,” Guld said.
To accompany the garments, the students are also hand-styling each look. Everything from hair and accessories to makeup and music has been carefully chosen.
Emily Mitchell, a junior majoring in apparel design, has been designing and making clothes since childhood.
“I’m very petite, so when I was younger, I could never fit into normal kids’ clothes, and I hated it. So I started to design my own clothes that would fit me exactly the way I needed them to,” Mitchell said. “When I graduate, I would love to be able to start my own fashion design company.”
Mitchell titled her collection “Succulence,” alluding to the shapes, colors and textures of the succulent plant that inspired it. Her garments combine muted tones with bright pops of color, teaming tailored fabrics with feminine lines.
All proceeds from the show will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as chosen by the students.
“It’s more than just a fashion show,” Taylor said. “It’s them participating in something where they can give back to the community.”
Fashion for Life is organized by Fashion Inc., a student organization that aims to provide students with the necessary skills and insight to break into the fashion industry.
“You really have to love what you do,” Guld said. “People often underestimate how difficult it is to major in fashion. It’s very time-consuming. When the show comes together, it will be one of the most fulfilling moments of my life.”
