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Fashion Shows Build Student Portfolios

by Joe Cooper
Fashion School Review Columnist

May 18, 2007


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A career in
Launch Your
Fashion Career
from
The Art Institutes

The Art Institute
fashion requires more than education; it requires experience. Participating in student-run fashion shows in school can increase your chances of landing entry-level design jobs after fashion school.


Student Fashion Shows East Coast Tradition
Fashion design school students in Bethesda, Maryland, started their own fashion show in 1998 called "People United by New Creative Hunches," or "PUNCH." Two students began the show almost 10 years ago, and the tradition is still going strong. The entire fashion design show is student-run, from the clothing designs, to lighting, to invitations. Nearly 30 student designers and over 100 student models are involved in the event, held at the school's theater.

Great Design, Great Causes
PUNCH is a completely non-profit show. All the proceeds from ticket sales go to an organization called Suited for Change. Based in Washington, DC, Suited for Change provides low-income women with professional clothing and helps them with their job searches.

Skills + Fashion School = Experience
Fashion shows in fashion design school are essential to a career in fashion as a designer. Fashion school graduates can pursue a number of paths after graduation, but for students interested in design, fashion show experience is a must. It all starts with a sketch. Then garment sourcing, hours in the design studio, modeling, production, rehearsals, and—finally—the big show.

Getting involved with as many production aspects as possible is a good tip. Having several student-run fashion shows in your portfolio by the time you leave fashion school will give you an edge over less experienced competition in a competitive industry.

Sources
Gazette.net

About the Author
Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor's in American Literature from UCLA.

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