Contact: Erin Flynn
October 5, 2022
Grace Stibich visited Times Square during a trip to the Big Apple for fall New York Fashion Week.
NEW YORK—Filled with fashion icons, up-and-coming designers and celebrities, the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) spring and fall shows are some of the biggest and most exclusive events in the industry. And for the second time in less than a year, Western Michigan University sent a student there for a unique behind-the-scenes educational experience.
“It was really crazy to be there!” He says Grace Stibich, a product design student from Troy, Michigan, who dreams of designing shoes or clothing for outdoor activities. He got the opportunity through Western’s inaugural New York Fashion Week Competition, hosted by the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications, in 2021.
Preparing to graduate in the spring of 2023, Stibich couldn’t imagine a better way to start his senior year at Western.
“It was very inspiring. I’m already thinking about how I want to set up my future line for the MODA (Design and Merchandising Opportunities Association) spring show, what I want to do for my thesis and things like that, thinking about how extravagant and what camp I want be with them”.
Alongside future fashion leaders from just 15 colleges and universities across the country, Stibich participated in UofNYFW, a partnership between CLC, the nation’s leading collegiate licensing company, and IMG, operator of NYFW: The Shows. Students enjoyed an inside look at the fashion industry, including a seat at select shows and panel discussions, as well as networking opportunities with industry leaders.
“Our goal for the UofNYFW college program is to provide innovative experiences and once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities to students at our partner institutions, adding tremendous value to participating universities beyond our traditional brand-licensing role. “, He says corey moss, CEO of CLC. “Since the inception of this unique program, we have been honored to help inspire and influence many talented students on their path to careers in the fashion industry.”
“It’s always exciting to give a group of brilliant college students the opportunity to interact and learn from some of the best designers and experts in the world of fashion at NYFW: The Shows,” he adds. leslie in Russian, president of IMG’s Fashion Events and Properties. “This collaboration with CLC and participating universities aligns with our mission to provide opportunities for future industry leaders and support the development of new perspectives in the ever-evolving fashion business.”
SHOCKING EXPERIENCE
Before arriving at the big shows, Stibich and other students toured the headquarters of sports apparel company Champion, seeing firsthand how a clothing line is developed and marketed, as well as meeting with professionals and taking a look at future lines. Of the brand. The group also had the opportunity to personalize a garment at the flagship store.
“It was really nice to see a day in the life of (a designer), because we don’t all really know what the industry is like,” says Stibich.
The VIP treatment continued at NYFW, where Stibich and his UofNYFW cohort attended a runway show with Korean designer Son Jung Wan, as well as a show presented by NewLeaper, the one-stop incubator for new designers and fashion start-ups. Students also attended a NYFW: The Talks session on “Mindfulness in Fashion” with model Hilary Rhoda; singer-songwriter Bianca Quiñones; Christa Janine, wellness professional; and others to discuss mental health in the fashion industry.
“We learned how to keep yourself in check when things get busy and stressful and make sure you’re putting yourself first, as this is a very demanding industry,” says Stibich.
In addition, students participated in a question and answer session with IMG representatives, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the production and execution of a fashion show at Spring Studios, the hub of NYFW: The Shows.
Stibich says the experience confirmed her passion for the fashion industry and solidified her design goals.
“I think WMU definitely prepared me and gave me the structure and discipline to be able to take on such a demanding industry,” he says. She also made some contacts that could help her get a job, including an industrial designer who creates patterns and designs for the Champion brand.
THE COMPETITION
Western’s 2021 fashion competition invited MODA members to design three to five looks for college wear, conveying what it means to be a Bronco.
For her entry, Stibich drew on her love of vintage style to create five unique garments.
“It was like tailgate clothing with a vintage twist,” he remembers. Her favorite design involved sewing water-soluble thread in different patterns onto a shirt, allowing the customer to cut the top to their own style. “There were different lines for the necklines and cut marks. And then you put it through the wash and the water-soluble threat will dissolve and you’ll be left with your garment, so it was like my product design brain put to work. “
NYFW has two events, one in the spring and one in the fall, and two of Western’s aspiring fashion designers won trips to each of the events. marketing student samantha morehead she won first place and a trip to NYFW in February 2022, while Stibich earned the chance to rub shoulders with fashion’s brightest at the fall event in September.
Western’s Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications plans to hold another fashion contest to send a student to UofNYFW in February 2023.
For more news, arts and events from WMUvisit WMU News online.
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From the classroom to the runway: Western students headed to New York Fashion Week | January 28, 2022
Bronco in the Big Apple: Marketing students see dreams come true at New York Fashion Week | February 21, 2022
Stibich, in the far right row, attended Fall New York Fashion Week along with a select group of college students from across the country.
Stibich, left, and other students had the opportunity to customize a Champion garment at the company store.
Stibich had the opportunity to attend the emerging designer shows at NYFW.
Son Jung Wan’s fashion show was one of the events attended by UofNYFW students.
Stibich visited Champion’s headquarters in New York.
The students had the opportunity to talk to each other about their passion for fashion and their future plans in the industry.
The students attended a NYFW: The Talks session on “Mindfulness in Fashion.”
Panelists included a range of industry insiders, including model Hilary Rhoda; singer-songwriter Bianca Quiñones; and Christa Janine, wellness professional.
Source: news.google.com