Immersion in Industry: NC State Student Attends New York Fashion Week Program

The crowd at a New York Fashion Week show is usually limited to a select group of fashion industry leaders, so it should be no surprise to find a Wilson College of Textiles student among the spectators. 

Sophomore fashion design student Sophia Stacy landed a spot in the audience of New York Fashion Week (NYFW) shows this fall through U of NYFW. The program gives college students across the country real insight into what it’s like to work in fashion through panels with working professionals on all sides of the industry, a tour of Champion headquarters and more.

The generosity of NC State’s Trademark Licensing Office makes it possible for the Wilson College of Textiles to send one student to the program for free each fall and spring semester. 

For Stacy, attending the U of NYFW program marked the realization of a goal she made for herself as a high school senior, when she learned about fashion design student Jasmine VanBlon’s experience.

“I was so excited at the prospect of participating in something as incredible as New York Fashion Week through my future university,” she remembers. “NYFW is such a significant event in the fashion industry that I knew attending U of NYFW would provide me with invaluable experience and connections that could help launch my career in the fashion world.”

She says her time at NYFW not only provided her with valuable industry knowledge and connections, but also renewed motivation for long hours in the studio. 

“This semester has been a lot of hard and time-consuming studio work, but this experience allowed me to see the real-world application of everything I’ve been learning.”

Continue reading to learn more about U of NYFW and how she says the Wilson College prepared her to make the most of it. 

Which designers’ shows did you see? What stood out to you about those collections?

I attended the Global Fashion Collective show, which featured Tulip ‘n Room, Universidad Iberoamericana student designers, MemoryLanePark and Chemi Akutami. These designers and their various uses of textiles were inspiring and have opened my eyes to the endless possibilities within the fashion industry. 

What did you learn from the industry panel and/or how did that panel impact you? 

The industry panels gave me many insights into the fashion industry. The panelists really emphasized the importance of being prepared to say yes, building relationships and being adaptable. I appreciated them discussing the problems they see in the industry – such as the integration of generative AI and the issue of size inclusivity in fashion – with us students. Through these discussions, I feel informed and prepared to tackle these issues as a designer in this industry.

How did you feel like you were able to apply your experience from the Wilson College of Textiles during U of NYFW?

Applying my experience from the Wilson College of Textiles allowed me to appreciate the intersection of creativity and technical skills required in the fashion world. Many of my experiences at Wilson College of Textiles have given me the confidence to engage in meaningful conversations with industry professionals and contribute valuable insights based on my education and training. Overall, I felt well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented during U of NYFW.

What was your biggest takeaway from the weekend?

My biggest takeaway was the importance of passion in the fashion industry. Every professional I spoke to throughout the weekend was extremely devoted to and passionate about their career. They emphasized the value of showing up to work excited every day, doing your job well and trying to improve upon your skills. Their clear enthusiasm about their careers reinforced my excitement to begin working in the fashion industry.