In the fashion and textile management senior studio class, 16 seniors have been working tirelessly to design and produce their own fashion show. The show, called “Threads,” first started in 2006 as an annual production. Now, the event is bi-annual and last had a turnout of approximately 500 students. Tomorrow night, “Threads” will be held at 7 p.m. on “The Square” at the College of Textiles on Centennial Campus.
Sarah Deasy and Kendal Leonard, seniors in textile and apparel management, are co-producers and designers in the event. Deasy said the Threads collection was started to showcase senior fashion design students’ work in the senior studio class. The class works all semester to design and implement the show, with the students taking the majority of the responsibility for the production.
“Every year the collection has been getting bigger, from having more girls to going to a bi-annual show,” Deasy said. “Fashion and product development is growing at N.C. State and we want this show to reflect where we are going.”
Tickets currently come with a price tag, but Deasy said the students hope to become self-sustaining in the future.
“We are still in need of funds right now because we put the production on completely by ourselves, but we hope to secure sponsors in the future,” Deasy said.
Each designer in the show creates a theme for their collection and designs the pieces around that theme, according to Deasy. The designers can pick their own models or send out a model call.
Leonard’s collection is entitled “In Monet’s Garden” and features clothing that she describe as “casual clothing that I would wear in a garden.”
“The clothes are a little retro but more classic than trendy,” Leonard said. “My target audience is a little above student age, although many students should enjoy the clothes.”
Leonard said Threads is currently more of a “local” thing at the College of Textiles, but she hopes it will become more campus-wide in the future.
Afaf Seyam, a sophomore in fashion and textile management, served as the volunteer manager and coordinator for this year’s event.
“I saw the fliers and wanted to see how I could help,” Seyam said. “The next thing I knew, I was handling everything!”
Although Seyam said the job wasn’t what she was looking for initially, it was a great leadership experience and very worthwhile.
“It’s been really hectic and stressful at times because nothing is concrete, but you know in the end it will work out and it will all be worth it. I definitely want to keep participating in the future.”
Seyam said she felt confident about how the show would turn out, but she was a little nervous to see the turnout.
“I didn’t work with advertizing, but I hope a lot of people come,” Seyam said. “Everyone in textiles knows about it but hopefully it will spread to main campus.”
Deasy said her collection, entitled “Splendid Origins,” is a hodgepodge of inspiration from indigenous tribes and native culture.
“A lot of unique collections will be presented,” Deasy said. “One showcase is an entirely eco-friendly fashion line, made with all organic and reused materials. Other student’s themes include Sherlock Holmes, the seven deadly sins and bridal wear.”
The designers will be judged by three judges and will be awarded first, second and third places. A People’s Choice Award will also be given by attendees who vote for their top choice.
Deasy said students should come to support the College of Design and to promote student unity on campus.
“Not only are textile students completely producing this show, but other students are involved with other aspects of the collection,” Deasy said. “We want to make this a big campus event and involve as many people as possible.”
Seyam said the experience has been great for her major because it combines design and management, which are both involved in her major.
“I got to work on the management side this year, but someday I will be a senior participating in Threads as a designer.”
Deasy said the designers owe a special thanks to Nancy Webster, an alumna of the College of Textiles, professor Nancy Cassill, textile and apparel technology and management head, professor Cynthia Istook of the senior studio class, and Afaf Seyam, the lead volunteer.
Students can purchase tickets at a discounted price of $10 online at www.threadseniorcollection.com or at the event for $15.
