Although known for science and technology, Iowa State University is also home to one of the highest nationally ranked apparel programs in the country. Every year the Apparel Events and Hospitality Management department at Iowa State hosts a student-run fashion show.

The day before the final production, the apparel merchandising and design program opens their doors to prospective students with an event known as “Behind the Scenes Day.”

“It’s our main event,” Apparel Merchandising and Design Advisor and Internship Coordinator Ann Thye said.  “Just like people go to Iowa State Basketball games or NCAA championships, this is kind of our big day, so we want to share that.”

The day started with over 400 prospective students gathering in LeBaron Hall, home to the apparel merchandising and design department. The students then broke off into sessions based on whether they have had a previous campus visit or not.

One of the sessions, led by Ann Thye, included an overview session of the program that highlighted the benefits of studying fashion at Iowa State University. The session ended with Thye telling the prospective students and their parents about the alumni and internship connections that the program had to offer.

“In the morning we have sessions that talk about our primary majors here, so they do one on product development, design, and merchandising, and we also have one with our guest designer Abdul Abasi and Greg Rosborough,” said co-director of Behind the Scenes Day Josie Brownmiller.

Following the sessions involving the primary apparel majors, students got insight into all aspects of the program by attending sessions in fashion illustration, computer aided design, patternmaking, cultural dress, fashion sociology and psychology, t-shirt destruction, buying, manufacturing, moodboards, history and styling.

The day ends with prospective students getting a sneak peak at The Fashion Show dress rehearsal in Stephens Auditorium.

“They get to see the scale of The Fashion Show, because it is one of the largest student-run fashion shows in the country,” Brownmiller said.

The Fashion Show is completely student-run and showcases students designs. The production is planned and part of a 1-3 credit course that students have to apply to.

The Fashion Show will be livestreamed this year on the apparel merchandising and design website.