The fashion wares of aspiring college designers will be displayed alongside the likes of VanJean, Britton’s, M Boutique and Bohemian when the University of South Carolina’s USC Fashion Week kicks off Monday for four days on campus.
Now in its fourth year, the week will showcase young designers whose works will be featured during two nights of fashion shows as well as a charity benefit and symposium.
“Students are able to show a fresher and clearer perspective on style and fashion because college is a place where free thinking and individuality are encouraged,” said Melissa Karl, president of the USC Fashion Board, which is hosting the event.
And organizers are promising that guests searching for anything from a black dress style to a stunning piece of jewelry will find them among the new collections that will be on display this week.
“These shows, especially our Student Designer Competition and Sponsor Show, will showcase new spring styles and trends and display the views of students as to how they think and see fashion,” Karl said.
At the heart of those shows will be the works of the student designers, who all have been provided models, makeup and hair stylists to present their creations to potential buyers, shop owners and potential customers.
USC junior retail major Matthew Teague is among the week’s featured designers.
Teague, who is studying fashion merchandising, recalls first making “doll clothes” for his grandmother’s vintage clothespins on her turn-of-the-century Singer treadle sewing machine when he was 6.
“A few years later, I remember creating elaborate creations out of blankets, towels, and safety pins,” he said. “I never thought that those Depression-era clothespins and awkward, floppy blankets would actually segue into what would be my major at 19, and a full-time obsession at 21.”
Teague’s featured works include clothing items and several jewelry pieces. He said he’s excited to see the diversity of offerings in this year’s show.
“A few years ago, we saw repurposed shower curtains and bedsheets reminiscent of Columbia’s Runaway Runway and last fall we saw taffeta and feather cocktail dresses from Carol Copeland and tulle skirts from Lilly Greenhalgh,” he said. “What are the newest ideas? That’s what I’m so excited to find out.”
And he’s hoping the show will have a favorable impact on the college community.
“I feel like we are rather out of tune with fashion. And it’s a sad thing really. I may not always dress as I do for a fashion show or a job interview, but I always try to look presentable and approachable,” he said. “I wish that more students would evaluate their dress and take more pride in themselves. We’re at one of the best schools in America. I want us to look like it.”
Karl, however, doesn’t think that fashion is lost on the average student.
“I think that every student is tuned in to fashion in their own way,” she said. “Whether they are a big fan of the preppy look or are more into new-age grunge, everyone has their own
Now in its fourth year, the week will showcase young designers whose works will be featured during two nights of fashion shows as well as a charity benefit and symposium.
“Students are able to show a fresher and clearer perspective on style and fashion because college is a place where free thinking and individuality are encouraged,” said Melissa Karl, president of the USC Fashion Board, which is hosting the event.
And organizers are promising that guests searching for anything from a black dress style to a stunning piece of jewelry will find them among the new collections that will be on display this week.
“These shows, especially our Student Designer Competition and Sponsor Show, will showcase new spring styles and trends and display the views of students as to how they think and see fashion,” Karl said.
At the heart of those shows will be the works of the student designers, who all have been provided models, makeup and hair stylists to present their creations to potential buyers, shop owners and potential customers.
USC junior retail major Matthew Teague is among the week’s featured designers.
Teague, who is studying fashion merchandising, recalls first making “doll clothes” for his grandmother’s vintage clothespins on her turn-of-the-century Singer treadle sewing machine when he was 6.
“A few years later, I remember creating elaborate creations out of blankets, towels, and safety pins,” he said. “I never thought that those Depression-era clothespins and awkward, floppy blankets would actually segue into what would be my major at 19, and a full-time obsession at 21.”
Teague’s featured works include clothing items and several jewelry pieces. He said he’s excited to see the diversity of offerings in this year’s show.
“A few years ago, we saw repurposed shower curtains and bedsheets reminiscent of Columbia’s Runaway Runway and last fall we saw taffeta and feather cocktail dresses from Carol Copeland and tulle skirts from Lilly Greenhalgh,” he said. “What are the newest ideas? That’s what I’m so excited to find out.”
And he’s hoping the show will have a favorable impact on the college community.
“I feel like we are rather out of tune with fashion. And it’s a sad thing really. I may not always dress as I do for a fashion show or a job interview, but I always try to look presentable and approachable,” he said. “I wish that more students would evaluate their dress and take more pride in themselves. We’re at one of the best schools in America. I want us to look like it.”
Karl, however, doesn’t think that fashion is lost on the average student.
“I think that every student is tuned in to fashion in their own way,” she said. “Whether they are a big fan of the preppy look or are more into new-age grunge, everyone has their own
