Fashion For Life Features UA Student Designs

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama apparel design students will have an opportunity to express themselves as designers during the eighth annual Fashion for Life.

Fashion for Life, set for Nov. 20, began as a way for senior apparel design students in the College of Human Environmental Sciences’ department of clothing, textiles and interior design to showcase a final collection.

“The whole thing is about them and who they are as a designer,” said show coordinator Brian Taylor, an instructor in the department. “They have to style everything – come up with a hair and makeup concept, accessories and shoes, and they even pick their own music.”

But it’s more than that. The course helps young designers build time-management skills. Students start researching inspiration and trends, sketching and buying fabrics and trims over the summer. They then begin working on their different looks on the first day of class, creating a garment every couple of weeks.

“Our industry is so time sensitive, from getting fabrics in on time to communicating with the factories and getting deliveries ready on time,” Taylor said. “They have to learn how to balance that.”

Each of the 21 students will show between three to five head-to-toe looks. This year’s show promises a broad range of design styles and customers. Many of the students are creating ready-to-wear looks, items for cocktail hour or outfits that can transition from day to evening.

While most are doing women’s wear, there are a couple who have added some men’s wear in their collections. There are also two or three designers who have put together special occasion pieces and avant garde. One designer created a weekend wedding collection that dresses the bride for her bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, wedding and her travel outfit for the honeymoon.

“They are welcome to do any type of category, any kind of design,” Taylor said. “It’s really about where they see themselves going after graduation, what kind of company they want to work for.”

Event attendees will not only enjoy a night of talent and fashion, but they will also help a much-deserved organization. Proceeds from the show will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The design showcase will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Ferguson Center ballroom. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance in Doster 306 from Donna McGee for $5; tickets will also be available at the door.