Designs will come to life during 2018 Purdue Fashion Show

Models showcase outfits designed, sourced, marketed and arranged by Purdue students during the 2017 Purdue Fashion Show. Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Senior fashion designers at Purdue University will showcase their collections April 7 during the 2018 Purdue Fashion Show.

Each of the 18 designers will showcase a collection, each consisting of up to 10 pieces each. Those collections are designed, sourced, marketed and arranged by students studying apparel design and technology in the Department of Consumer Science. The fashion show is a finale to the capstone apparel showcase course.

“This gives students the experience of doing everything from the idea to the finished look. They do it all themselves to get real-world experience and figure out what they love the most,” said Kristofer Chang Alexander, a continuing lecturer in the Department of Consumer Science. “Some enjoy computer work and illustrations, or some like the design aspect and want to own their own design company, or some want to work in more of a business environment with marketing, merchandising, sourcing and textiles.”

Senior Laura Mishell focused her entire collection on sustainable practices such as upcycling, recycling and zero-waste pattern design.

“There’s a bunch of components that go into the final aspects of the collection that need to be understood and analyzed throughout the process,” Mishell said. “As an individual designer, analyzing that process from top to bottom, and seeing how an entire collection evolves into something that’s cohesive rather than just a bunch of little, tiny ideas, is an amazing process for me to experience.”

Senior Hayley Hayhurst’s collection, comprised of evening and luxury wear, is influenced by historical fashion trends.

“Learning the whole process of making something, from the idea and the sketch all the way through completion to the finished product, is so important, and it makes people respect clothing and what they’re buying,” Hayhurst said.

Shows will take place at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on April 7 at the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center. The event is open to the public and tickets can be purchased at Matthews Hall, Room 201, from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, any other time at Matthews Hall, Room 203, or by emailing purduefashionshow@gmail.com.

VIP tickets are available for $50 and include a reserved seat with chair cover, goodie bag valued at over $100 and backstage pass. Tickets for first, second, third and fourth row seats range from $5 to $20 and are available at the door if space is available.

State Street Redevelopment Project construction is in process. This work is closing portions of Stadium Avenue, McCormick Road, Airport Road and Williams Street and significantly affecting surrounding thoroughfares in West Lafayette.

Writer: Joseph Paul, 765-494-9541, paul102@purdue.edu 

Sources: Kristofer Chang Alexander, Kristofer@purdue.edu

Laura Mishell, lmishell@purdue.edu

Hayley Hayhurst, hhayhurs@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Reporters interested in covering the 2018 Purdue Fashion Show should contact Joseph Paul at 765-494-9541 or paul102@purdue.edu.