Projects on the Runway

My sister and I took in a great fashion show last night!

Every year, the University of Texas (UT) hosts a free fashion show showcasing the designs of the graduating Seniors from the Division of Textiles and Apparel. It is quite an extravaganza and well-attended by students, locals, and out-of-towners, a total of 5,000 last year. Prize winners are determined by a panel of judges who are fashion industry professionals.

Designing around the "High Voltage" theme, the students presented and array of eco-friendly and tech-smart garments. Most of the fashions were highly wearable and the crowd let the designers know what they liked. We happened to be sitting in the midst of some students who were as avid about the presentations as the sports enthusiasts are about  their games.

Apparently, this is one of the best undergraduate design schools in the country.....awww....I bet they say that about all the schools....
They do have some of the latest technology. The students can make their own design and have it printed onto fabric.They also design graphics using Photoshop and print the design on a Mimaki TX2 1600 digital printer. There were some awesome scarves shown which had been made by using that technique.

In the past, students had to work all year to earn enough money to put on the end-of-year show, but now the University Co-Operative Society sponsors the show. That leaves the students freer to concentrate on their work.

One of our favorite parts of the show is the exhibition. Students from several different levels and different classes, exhibit their work and stand by to give explanations. It is fun to see how much they grow with every course and how creative they can be. My favorite part of the exhibits is the vintage collection display.

We will be looking forward to next year's show...in May sometime.