University fashion show: Best practices to showcase student work.

Abstract

The university catwalk is often used as a promotional tool by programs to highlight their student designers. This panel will discuss the different types of fashion shows held at their own school and look at different business models which keep them going. Discussion topics will include: the goal of the fashion show, fundraising, garment selection, sponsorships, ticket prices, locations, audience, diversity/ethical considerations for models, sustainability, getting publicity, obtaining a venue, theme/branding, photography, developing a relationship between the students producing the show and the student designers, etc. We will also touch on motivating students, student roles and communication techniques. Some schools also extend their fashion show through museum exhibits or displays highlighting the best of show. Schools also differ on whether they offer a course on fashion show productions or if it is a student-led and run production. Panelists include a student who produced the fashion show at her school as an undergraduate for a different perspective on the discussion. We will also speak about whether the traditional fashion show model is needed in an era of social media.