With over 130 student-designed garments, The Fashion Show 2019 is ready to go “from coast to coast” in Stephens Auditorium on Saturday. In its 37 years of running, the show was recognized as one of largest student-run fashion shows in the nation.

The show features over 75 student designers work and more than 50 student models. There are nearly 150 students involved in the planning process of the event. Students of any major are welcome to apply to be on one of the multiple committees offered.

The committees include alumni and community relations, art direction, behind the scenes, design, fashion week, fundraising, gallery and display, modeling, photography, public relations, set design, social media, tech design, treasurer and philanthropy, a committee that is new to The Fashion Show this year. 

The 15 committees have been working since first semester and consist of between six to 14 members. Each committee is headed by two to four directors.

There are also two managerial producers and two outreach producers. The managerial producers of this year’s show, Sydney Lawrence, senior in apparel merchandising and design, and Grace Rosson, senior in apparel merchandising and design, work with the directors and committee members. The outreach producers, Emma Kachelmeyer, senior in apparel merchandising and design, and Hannah Harnack, senior in event management, work more with outside sources.

The show’s theme for this year is “from coast to coast.”

“This theme aims to encompass the ‘melting pot’ of American culture, and showcase the impact and reach The Fashion Show has had over the last 37 years,” according to The Fashion Show website. 

“It works with all aspects of the show because one, it engages our alumni and we have an alumni network that’s literally coast to coast,” said Rosson. Rosson also said last year’s live stream of the show not only had viewers from across the nation, but also had international engagement.

The models will be reflecting the “from coast to coast” theme as they wear west coast-inspired hair and east coast-inspired makeup. The two work hand-in-hand by creating a “bold but refined” look, said Lexi Stumpf, modeling committee co-director and junior in apparel, merchandising and design.

In compliment to the theme, the guest designer of this year’s show is Vans. Based out of Costa Mesa, California, Vans is a popular brand well-known for their lines of skateboarding shoes and apparel as well as their iconic checkered pattern.

“I think because Vans’ mission focuses on youth culture, and our show is entirely student-produced, it really takes our show to a whole other level,” said Maddie Darveau, public relations co-director for the show and senior in marketing. “I think this is going to be a show unlike any other.”

Representing Vans at the show Saturday will be company recruiter Katie Essex, apparel merchandiser Lynda Castillo, apparel designer James McCahon, and two footwear designers, Jared Harmon and Derek Huenecke. Harmon and Huenecke are also Iowa State alumnus. The team will be touching up garments before the Vans portion of the show.

Some Vans pieces will be modeled and highlighted during the show. Vans also sent Iowa State a few pairs of their signature white sneakers, giving students the chance to use the shoes as a blank canvas to draw and create on. Those shoes will be displayed as well. 

Ann Thye, academic adviser for apparel, events and hospitality management, has worked closely with the VF Corporation, the parent company of Vans, and the Iowa State alumni there. Thye said she is excited The Fashion Show is partnering with them this year.

“This isn’t something these companies do very much, having them actually spend the time and bring their collections to Iowa State is just very exciting,” Thye said. “We love the culture of Vans.”

Show music and sound will be provided by L.A.-based Iowa State alum, Nicholas Hadfield. This will mark Hadfield’s fourth year being the show’s DJ.

Each year guest judges are chosen to judge the design entries in the show. This year the guest judges are Telecia Bunch, Lisa Bradshaw, Kathleen Smith and Brittney Lynch.

Bunch, Iowa State alumna and former cheerleader, currently works as manager of technical design for Reese Witherspoon’s clothing line, Draper James. Bradshaw, also an Iowa State alumna and former Iowa State fashion show producer, now works for Abercrombie and Fitch as a planner. Smith works as professor in apparel merchandising and product development at the University of Arkansas. Lynch is also an Iowa State alumni and is currently working as a creative designer for RE/DONE.

“I think it’s the biggest honor ever,” Bunch said about being a part of The Fashion Show 2019.

There are multiple scholarships that will be awarded to students on Saturday night as well.

Among the design scholarships given is the Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Fashion Show Best in Show scholarship. The student who receives this award is chosen by the judges “for showing the highest degree of skill, creativity and execution” in their design entry, according to The Fashion Show website. The winner of this year’s award will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

There are multiple scholarships students are able to win under many different categories. Last year, The Fashion Show awarded students with scholarships from 16 different categories. Categories include accessories, activewear/athleisure, children’s wear, costuming, day-dresses, fashion illustration, formal wear, graduate, inspired by the Textiles and Clothing Museum, portfolio, sleepwear/loungewear, sportswear, suiting/business attire, senior Line, wearable art and wearable technology. Each category had up to a first, second and third place monetary award.

The Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Fashion Show Merchandising Scholarship is also awarded to one apparel merchandising student. Global design and apparel distribution company Komar sponsored the case study project created for the scholarship this year. The winner of this award will also be awarded $2,000.

The Public Relations Committee co-directors said goody bags will be handed out at The Fashion Show on Saturday. Focusing on more quality items this year, each bag is valued around $30-35. The bags will go to the first 200 people that come through the door.

The Fashion Show 2019 will be hosted at Stephens Auditorium on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster or at the Stephens Auditorium Ticket Office. The event will also be livestreamed on The Fashion Show’s website here or on Facebook.