The MSU Department of Art, Art History and Design will present the 2016 annual Apparel and Textile Design Fashion Show at 7 p.m. March 4. The fashion show is a culmination of creative explorations ranging from classic to avant-garde fashion design.
The Apparel and Textile Design program emphasizes creativity and experimentation that combines design with art. Students combine fine art, couture fashion and technical design to create original avant garde fashion designs, which reflect an understanding of global issues such as sustainability, cultural dress and design movements.
Thirty student designers will show 74 individual fashion designs, with most of the designs coming from class projects in the ATD program. According to associate professor Theresa Winge, a theatre student will also be showing a design in the show. Winge says the show will highlight the use of technology in design.
"This year, the fashion show will feature many forms of 'wearables,' which is technology that has been incorporated into fashion for function and/or aesthetics," she says. "Some designs include 3D-printed components, and other designs will be illuminated."
Winge also says there will be a 3D printing display in the lobby for the audience to experience prior to the show.
She and Rebecca Schuiling are the faculty directors for the ATD fashion show, working with more than 200 students on organizing and producing the annual event. As one of the biggest outreach events for the College of Arts and Letters, the ATD fashion show has sold out the last five years with more than 600 audience members in attendance.
Guest judges scheduled to appear at this year's event are Tiff Devine, a senior menswear designer for Macy's, and Paulina Petkoski, founder of Playground Detroit. Devine and Petkoski will give out four awards at the event. This year, a new award will be offered from the Fashion Design Student Association, an organization for sustainability.
Tickets are available from the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts.