Posted on September 23, 2019
By Allen Wallace, awallace@sc.edu
As the fashion world converged in New York for Fashion Week, two University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management students were treated to a one-of-a-kind educational experience thanks to a collaboration between the university, Collegiate Licensing Company (the university’s exclusive trademark licensing agency), and IMG’s fashion events division.
Retailing majors Victoria Randall and Meg Schwieterman and fellow Gamecocks Kelsey Oh and Hanna Powers joined students from 11 other universities in the program, designed to support innovation and the development of future leaders in the fashion industry.
The academic enrichment program provided a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry, including entry into select runway shows, panel discussions and networking opportunities with industry leaders, as well as on-the-job shadowing with collegiate licensees.
“I am so grateful (and honestly in shock) that I was able to attend New York Fashion Week,” says Schwieterman. “I have never been inspired by anything as much as I have been by this experience.”
The students experienced two NYFW runway shows, as well as backstage tours to observe the production and execution of a fashion show. The group also participated in the screening of the film “THE REMIX: Hip Hop x Fashion” and participated in a panel discussion with director/producer Lisa Cortés and director Farah X.
In addition to New York Fashion Week: The Shows, the students also spent time with key staff at sports fashion brand Champion and College Vault licensee Original Retro Brand. The students also had an opportunity to visit collegiate jewelry licensee KYLE CAVAN where they interacted with designers and marketers from the company, as well as online fashion outlet Storr and licensee Hillflint.
“We are committed to delivering opportunities for future leaders in the industry to engage and learn from others that know what it takes to be successful,” said Leslie Russo, executive vice president, IMG Fashion Events.
Schwieterman and Randall competed with other UofSC students in a fashion blog for the trip (provided at no cost to the students thanks to the partnership between the university and CLC). Each student created a website or blog featuring licensed UofSC-themed fashion items, and a panel of judges from the Department of Retailing faculty chose the winners.
UofSC’s retailing degree program offers a specialization in fashion merchandising and digital innovation, blending technology, entrepreneurship, marketing and design.
Learn more about the Department of Retailing's degree programs.