The MSU Department of Art, Art History and Design will present its 2017 annual Apparel and Textile Design Fashion Show at 7 p.m. April 28. The juried fashion show is a culmination of creative explorations ranging from classical to avant-garde designs. The show is an opportunity for students to both be recognized for their work and to receive awards for their designs.
Almost entirely student run, this year's show will feature the work of 64 designs by 37 different student designers. Students are in charge of choreography, model calls, public relations and finding judges, among many other responsibilities.
“The benefits for the students in the fashion show are myriad," said faculty director Rebecca Schuiling. "The public exhibition displays students’ creative outcomes, professional event planning and execution, outreach and community engagement and is a real life experience within an academic setting using leadership and teamwork skills.”
Students combine their studies in fine art and technical design to create new and original pieces reflecting their own personal aesthetics to showcase. Designs come from class projects within the ATD program or personal projects they’ve worked on. Though there is not necessarily a design theme, there are a few different activist pieces in the show this year. Reflecting an understanding of global social issues in art has been an unwritten motif.
Joining the show as a judge this year is Lauren Paulauskas, a fashion designer, graphic artist, illustrator and Apparel and Textile Design alumna. Currently she lives and works in New York City as the Lead Fashion Accessories Designer for Gina Group. Her work has taken her from Europe to Africa for textile research and trade shows.
Tickets for the fashion show are available for purchase on the Wharton Center website. Please note that the ATD fashion show has a history of selling out each year.