This Friday marks the 15th annual Art2Wear fashion show, where students in the College of Art and Design display their work in a student-run event. Each production brings a new theme and new designers to the stage, so a distinctive display is guaranteed for this year’s performance.
The show is an opportunity for students to experience the development of a runway show firsthand. For designers, that means creating a collection from start to finish, from the early drafts to the final walk. By formulating and solidifying the outer and inner workings of the production, student directors are able to experience the factors that go into coordinating such an event.
Preparation begins in August when the theme is announced to those interested. Designs are expected to lean toward the avant-garde, embracing this year’s theme, the “Virtue of Obsession.” Students are expected to have a presentable sample of their collection ready to present to judges by early December.
The panel isn’t solely a collection of fashion critics, rather, the judges come from a diverse background — and with that comes diverse opinions, different interpretations and dissimilar tastes. Despite their discrepancies, however, they all share a certain vision for what defines the best collection for the year’s show.
“[Judges are] looking for creativity of concept, that the collection centers on the theme,” said Olivia Koval, a sophomore studying industrial design. “They pay close attention to styling — to detail and concepts in sketches, concept statements, mood boards and live models — to get a grasp of the craftsmanship and the depth of a designer’s collection.”
Students see it as an honor to be featured in the fashion show. Not only do they experience highly selective judges; they face competition from a talented pool of applicants as well.
Any junior or senior from the College of Art and Design is encouraged to participate. This diversity of participants is manifested in the show; different design experience lends itself to unique interpretations of wearable materials.
Once selected, students immediately begin the process of perfecting and producing their work before the show.
“[Designers] work for months trying to make their collection perfect,” Koval said. “In picking out all the details, from initial sketching to the order that they will walk down the runway, from the music to physically styling the makeup and hair. At the show, you’ll definitely be able to see how all of these different parts come together to make the show work.”
Students coordinating the event are responsible for reaching out to sponsors, according to Koval. This includes identifying potential salons for hair and makeup services, finding restaurants willing to donate food for the event and companies looking to support the show in general. Several sub-committees are responsible for budgeting, set design and any other additional demands the show may require.
“The students are gaining skills that can be applied to future careers by planning this runway show,” said Justin LeBlanc, faculty advisor for A2W and assistant professor in art and design. “I find it exciting to see what the students — and what their student directors, the committee heads, everyone — are thinking, what they want do with the year’s show. It makes me proud that I can be a part of that and help them out.”
LeBlanc has personal experience with A2W. In 2007, during his undergraduate studies at NC State, he participated as a photographer. A year later, he was a student designer in the show.
“I thought it was a very exciting production — it’s typically on the last week of school,” LeBlanc said. “ Art2Wear to me was was like closure, as the end of the year before leaving for summer. As a student, I was able to see everything as a designer … Now, as a faculty advisor, I can appreciate the production that goes into it.”
LeBlanc said that postproduction, all students involved gain invaluable takeaway. Designers and organizers establish strong, collaborative relationships with their peers, learn to perform in high stress environments and possibly find that sense of closure, according to LeBlanc.
A2W is held Friday in Talley Student Union Ballroom. The dress rehearsal at 1 p.m. is free for all students to attend. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. event are available online.
