This Wilson College Student Got the Ultimate Backstage Experience

During her time at New York Fashion Week, Zafiruddin remained organized but flexible, open-minded but confident, and most importantly, excited to absorb everything the city had to offer.

As a polymer and color chemistry student, she found ways to make the experience a unique combination of her interests. 

The  U of NYFW program allowed Zafiruddin to attend workshops, industry panels and runway shows, all while getting the chance to highlight her own hijab designs. This experience, which sends one student per semester, is an all-expenses-paid opportunity made possible by NC State University’s Trademark Licensing Office.

Zafiruddin utilized this opportunity as a way to grow simultaneously in her passions and as a person by pushing herself out of her comfort zone.  

“For me, one of the coolest parts of the experience was talking not just with fellow students, but also with the team that organized the trip and the panelists – even about topics that weren’t necessarily related to fashion,” Zafiruddin says.

After navigating NYC’s bustling streets, she reflected on the importance of connecting with others in the creative space. 

“At the end of the day, people remember who you are as a person more than just what’s written on your resume,” Zafiruddin says. 

If you had to choose just one, what was the highlight of your experience?

I absolutely loved the “How to Build Your Personal Brand” workshop. Personal branding is such a big and often overwhelming concept, but the way the workshop broke it down made it feel approachable and practical. I was asked things like “What are your strengths?”, “What are your weaknesses?” and “What do you want to be known for in the future?” 

The workshop showed me how I can compile all of that to be a positive brand to market myself. It gave me clear strategies that I can apply not only in a professional setting, but also in how I carry myself day-to-day. I walked away with actionable ideas for how to present my strengths, communicate my values and create a more consistent image of who I am and what I stand for. 

Did you design clothing for NYFW? If so, what was your creative process? 

I designed my own hijabs to wear, and my creative process was very much rooted in experimental design. I started with a “test hijab,” which I actually ended up wearing during the week. This first scarf combined different techniques and effects I wanted to explore. For example, I left part of the fabric white to test whether the dye would bleed into those regions. After rinsing it out, I found that the white areas remained untouched, which showed me that the dye wouldn’t spread or fade. I also learned how important color choice and placement were, especially for fabrics that would be seen in different environments.

For my second scarf, which I also wore at NYFW, I experimented with application methods such as painting the dye on with a brush, dabbing with a sponge and applying concentrated drops with a pipette. 

Through this process, I not only created hijabs that were personal and meaningful to me, but I also learned how different dyeing techniques and color interactions could be intentionally manipulated to achieve unique visual effects. 

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

I absolutely loved experiencing the big city. As someone who’s pretty type A, I came in with a list of things I wanted to do and places near my hotel I hoped to visit. That list really helped me feel grounded when I was exploring on my own the first day. 

Once I made friends with the other students, I found myself enjoying the spontaneity of going with the flow and following the group. That balance between planning and flexibility made my time in New York feel authentic – like I was truly experiencing the “city that never sleeps.”

What was one challenge you encountered during your time at NYFW, and how did you tackle it? 

As a polymer and color chemistry student, I came into NYFW feeling a bit apprehensive about how I would be able to relate to the panels and get the most out of the experience. I wasn’t sure how to engage with the content in a way that felt authentic to my background as a chemist. 

I overcame that challenge by shifting my perspective and looking for common ground between science and fashion. Instead of trying to force a direct connection, I focused on the transferable skills – like problem-solving, creativity, and experimentation – that are central to both fields. I also asked questions during panels that helped me bridge the gap, such as how innovation in textiles relates to sustainability or how personal branding can apply to careers outside of fashion. By engaging in the content through the lens of my own discipline, I was able to make the experience feel authentic and meaningful to me.

How has your time at the Wilson College of Textiles given you the tools to be successful in the fashion industry? 

The Wilson College of Textiles has given me the tools to become a truly multifaceted individual. I find it so exciting that as a polymer and color chemistry student I was able to attend New York Fashion Week, just as fashion and textile management students are also given opportunities to work in labs on campus. 

Having access to experiences that aren’t confined to one particular path has opened doors for me to grow in unexpected ways. These opportunities have not only expanded my perspective within textiles and fashion but also given me transferable skills — like creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving — that can be applied to many other fields. It’s empowering to know that what I’ve learned here will carry value no matter where my career path takes me.