Twenty-three students studying fashion at the University of Central Missouri volunteered at Kansas City Fashion Week on Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Union Station in Kansas City. Affiliated with New York Fashion Week, KC Fashion Week is the biggest fashion show in the Midwest. The UCM volunteers served as ambassadors, helping with checking tickets, being ushers, selling merchandise, escorting models and designers backstage, setting up the venue and assisting with rehearsals.
“Some of our students are from rural areas, so some of them have never been into a city… or never have been to a fashion show that wasn’t in the basement of a community center, which those are wonderful, but seeing the big deal is really cool,” said Melissa Abner, associate professor and Program Coordinator of Fashion: Textiles and Clothing in Business.
According to the Vogue College of Fashion, the fashion industry is competitive and the ability to network is key to success. Many student volunteers view the opportunity to volunteer at a major fashion show as a valuable way to network with professionals in the industry.
“Connections are key in the fashion industry, so I hope to just meet some people tonight…. Networking is very important and it’s cool to get to see the inside of the fashion industry. I’ve never really been to a fashion show like this or even been an ambassador at one. But it’s been a cool experience so far,” said junior and UCM fashion student Sophia Joyner, whose dream job is to open a boutique in downtown Warrensburg.
Along with networking, students had the opportunity to learn from experts, get an inside look into the fashion industry and community in Kansas City, and participate in the production of the show.
“[I’ve appreciated] picking people’s brains, not only about clothes, but how you can run a business in fashion and make it successful. And you kind of dip into everyone’s job to help everyone run smoothly,” said sophomore fashion student Kaci Wright.
Five UCM alumni currently work at KC Fashion Week, including Style Team Director Angelica DeShawn, who graduated in 2006 from UCM with degrees in Communication and Fashion Merchandising. During her time as a student, DeShawn was also a volunteer ambassador at KC fashion week. Since then, she has done a total of 13 seasons of hair and makeup work at KC Fashion Week.
“Advice to current students would be, do not be afraid to take those ‘dream catcher’ jobs, but understand that you’re always keeping your eye on the prize and that hard work and truly a good personality and good energy will set you apart,” said DeShawn.
According to Abner, the UCM fashion program prepares students for many career paths within and beyond the fashion industry, including event planning, production, media, photography, styling, retail sales and being a designer.
“A lot of what I learned at UCM during my time there, a lot of the information regarding textiles, a lot of color theory,” said DeShawn. “After going to school, I did some work in the beauty industry, which helped me get the knowledge for the hair and makeup piece, but a lot of my groundwork and foundation regarding how to navigate the business aspect of it, I definitely took from UCM.”
On Jan. 6, KC Fashion Week will host the Kansas City Fashion Industry Awards Gala. UCM was nominated for the category of best education partner. A senior fashion student, Henry Kartsonis, was nominated for best ambassador. Voting is open until Dec. 15 and people can vote once per day per device.
