Wilson College of Textiles Students Take a Bite out of the Big Apple

Through various programs, jobs and scholarships, budding professionals from the Wilson College of Textiles were able to spend time in the fashion capital of the country and bring  NYFW to life. 

Whether they spent their days helping with front or back-of-house duties, each student returned to NC State with a week’s worth of fast-paced industry experience. 

“It felt surreal to step out of a venue after nearly ten hours of nonstop work and find myself in the middle of the city’s chaos – tourists, influencers and even a DAZED Fashion Week photoshoot happening just steps away,” senior Rachel Kelly says. 

Some students found that front-of-house duties aligned more closely with their goals, while others preferred to contribute backstage.

No matter their chosen path, each and every student was tasked with one similar responsibility: navigating the most populated city in the United States. 

“Throughout my time in NYC, I felt as though I was living in a dream scenario. I have never felt more proud of myself than when I was riding the subway to get to my next show,” sophomore Katherine Damore says.

Katherine Damore

• Program: B.S. FTM (Brand Management and Marketing)
• Intended Graduation: 2027
• Role during NYFW: Volunteer

What were your day-to-day responsibilities?

For the shows I worked on with Sandrine Charles Consulting, I assisted in the pre-production of the show, helped with the run of show and moving seats as instructed. I also assisted with smaller tasks, such as unboxing items needed for each seat and bar in the pre-show area. 

I also worked with Thee Rebel Agency, a modeling agency based in Miami. I set up lighting, arranged chairs, assisted with dressing models and conducted interviews. Essentially, everything that their team needed from me, I was doing. 

What was most memorable about this experience?

I think that the entire experience was memorable, but my favorite part was attending the “Who Decides War” show. This show, held in Brooklyn, featured a live performance by Leon Thomas III, whom I have always been a fan of. The entire collection was impeccable. Additionally, the sheer scale of this show was incredible with over 500 people in attendance. Throughout my time in NYC, I felt as though I was living in a dream. I have never felt more proud of myself than when I was riding the subway to get to my next show. I don’t know if I can compare the feeling to anything else. 

What was it like to work in a city as large and lively as New York?

It was incredible working in a city as lively and large as New York. I have wanted to live in NYC since I was eight. No adjective can encompass how excited I was when I first took the steps outside Penn Station and took in the city for the first time. 

There is something uniquely captivating about walking a block and seeing what feels like a million different people, each living different lives. There is truly no better feeling than navigating the city as a 20-year-old during New York Fashion Week. Now all I can think about is the next time that I’ll be back.

Adaline Griffin

• Program: B.S. FTD (Fashion Design)
• Intended Graduation: 2027
• Role during NYFW: Showcasing Designer

What did you do at NYFW?

I returned as a designer showcasing three unique collections — Reflections, From Your Mom’s Closet and Memoirs of a Seamstress — featuring collaborations with Cone Denim Mills, Runway 7 Fashion, Charlotte Seen, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park Conservatory.

What was most memorable about this experience? 

The most memorable experiences were the partnerships during the photoshoots and showcases like organizing a photoshoot with Central Park’s carousel manager and speaking to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s team to get permission to use their facilities during the photoshoot. I was honored to have met such kind and passionate people during this time. They worked with me directly to ensure proper communication about the shoot location. 

Furthermore, I was blessed to work with a great group of models, staff, photographers and my wonderful assistant. Over the summer, I recruited my first intern who assisted in garment construction and creative development for one of my collections. Through tremendous hard work and clear communication, my team and I were able to achieve our desired goals.

What was it like to work in a city as large and lively as New York?

Working in New York was electric. Events are constantly occurring, and there are wide-open opportunities in the City; you just have to take them. 

Rachel Kelly

• Program: B.S. FTM (Brand Management and Marketing)
• Intended Graduation: 2026
• Role During NYFW: Model Dresser/Stylist and Production Assistant

What did you do at NYFW?

I had the incredible opportunity, thanks to the Fashion Scholarship Fund, to attend and assist at NYFW alongside three of my fellow scholars. Through these connections, we gained hands-on experience working backstage at two official Council of Fashion Designers of America shows: Campillo and LaPointe Spring/Summer 2026. 

Our days were packed and immersive. At the Campillo show, I gained hands-on experience with steaming, pressing, dressing and managing model orders. For LaPointe, I served as a production assistant, supporting everything from setup and takedown to model organization, lighting and both front-of-house and backstage operations. Both experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for the many layers of detail, precision and collaboration required to bring a fashion show from concept to runway!

Please describe your day-to-day responsibilities over the course of NYFW.

The two shows I worked on during Fashion Week were completely different experiences —  each enriching in its own way. At the Campillo show, held on the stunning 32nd floor of the Continental Center in the Financial District, my fellow scholars and I served as assistant stylists and dressers. Each of us was assigned one or two models, responsible for learning their full looks from the styling cards and dressing them accordingly. Once ready, the models were sent for approval first by the head stylist and then by designer Patricio Campillo himself. 

The LaPointe show, on the other hand, was an entirely different challenge. Hosted in a narrow SoHo building, with “backstage” on the fifth floor and the runway on the second, it demanded constant coordination and problem-solving. With a call time of 5:45 a.m. and wrap around 5 p.m., my fellow scholars and I assisted the production team in every stage of the process: moving equipment, building hair and makeup stations, setting up lighting, organizing sponsored products, helping models rehearse and reporting to the heads of production until final takedown. 

How has your time at the Wilson College prepared you to take on a role like this? 

My time at the Wilson College of Textiles definitely enriched my NYFW experience! Because we study textiles and garment creation in such depth, I had a strong understanding of the construction, materials and care required when working with the clothes, especially while dressing models and ironing backstage at the Campillo show. It was exciting to see how the Campillo collection placed such a strong emphasis on sustainability while incorporating basket-weaving and knitting techniques (practices we learn about at the Wilson College) to create bold, striking patterns.

Sania Musti

• Program: B.S. FTM (Brand Management and Marketing)
• Intended Graduation: 2027
• Role during NYFW: NYFW Public Relations Intern/Volunteer

What did you do during NYFW? 

This season, I was able to attend and assist in “front of house” duties to ensure that every attending guest had a wonderful experience and that the various shows I worked for ran smoothly. I oversaw seating arrangements, managed guest check-in and directed attendees prior to the show. 

This was an incredible experience, and although managing high-profile and VIP guests was stressful at times, I am so grateful for the networking opportunities it offered. I got an insider look into what fashion public relations entails, and gained understanding and appreciation for the high energy and fast-paced nature of the industry.

What was it like to work in a city as large and lively as New York?

It was no surprise to me that New York was a bustling city, filled with so many different people to meet, sights to see and activities to do. Throughout this week, I felt like a New York City native, and I was quickly learning how to navigate the subway, manage my time and funds effectively while working and find my way around. 

It was hard not to fall in love with the city, as chaotic as it may be, and this experience motivated me even harder to pursue an internship in NYC next summer. During my trip, someone told me that New York City is not the place to be comfortable, and I completely agree. New York will challenge you like no other city, testing your patience, grit and willingness to learn. However, I believe that there is no way to truly grow and push yourself out of your comfort zone if you feel “comfortable.”

How has your time at the Wilson College prepared you to take on a role like this? 

The various courses I’ve taken at the Wilson College have provided me with the creativity and problem-solving skills necessary to adapt to the constantly changing demands of the luxury fashion industry. There were several times throughout the shows when I was able to suggest ideas and opportunities to improve the flow of check-in and other operations, which also helped to reduce stress for my supervisors, allowing them to focus on other important tasks before the show.