With so much stress circulating in the sewing lab, you could cut the tension with a knife.
“Things are pretty hectic right now,” said an anxious senior designer, Hanna Clegg. “There is so much going on, it’s like the deadlines of all deadlines. We need to get all of our final looks prepared and time is running out.”
This Saturday, in the Allen Theater, 19 apparel design and manufacturing students from Tech’s College of Human Sciences will present their senior collections. Nicole Ramsey, head of the Texas Tech Senior Fashion show and ADM senior designer, said “excited” is an understatement when she thinks about the show. But, she said she’s thrilled about seeing her clothing on an actual model for the first time.
This evening is the first model call for the seniors, which means this is the first time they will get to see their designs on something other than their usual dress form in the sewing lab. Lucky for Clegg, she said she already has her models figured out. Jordan Hoech, a restaurant, hotel and institutional management senior from Houston, is modeling for Clegg. Hoech said she cannot wait to support her good friend and walk down the runway in some very stylish apparel.
Clegg zipping up one of her models in her corset design.
It better be stylish. Clegg said her favorite outfit took her three days to make just the corset, which is only supposed to take a short amount of time, according to Ramsey. Clegg said the piece of clothing took her so long to construct because she had to be super-meticulous about the measurements — especially when it came to the ribbon that was part of the piece. Ramsey said her favorite piece she has made so far is a navy mermaid dress that has a really big skirt paired with a sheer piece.
Jordan Hoech in one of Clegg’s designs.
Recently, the ADM program sent students to Dallas Career Day and the Fashion Group International Competition. Clegg said Tech dominated at FGI. In fact, she said one ADM student, Tiffany Girard, won the Paris American Academy Scholarship Trip. Clegg said that isn’t the only accomplishment the program is proud of. Other senior ADM students are making names for themselves based on where they are going to work and intern within the coming months.
Ramsey said senior ADM major Darlene Araiza is going to work for Cosmopolitan Magazine in New York as a stylist. Clegg said senior ADM major Kevin Nguyen is going to work for designer Anna Sui, who is also located in New York. Clegg said she is going to intern for Patti Flowers Design Studio in Dallas, while Ramsey said she is going to intern with Acustom Apparel. The company designs and produces custom mens wear.
Clegg said she thinks the recent awards and jobs are a reflection of how talented the ADM students are at Tech.
“I think there are some really talented people in the program, especially upcoming students,” she said. “The stuff I see the freshmen doing makes me mad, because I didn’t know how to do things they are already learning when I was their age. They’re already lining things. The professors are starting them early. The freshman are learning how to manipulate patterns too. It’s almost too impressive.”
All of the seniors at the model fitting.
But, Ramsey said the seniors are also just as talented, and the fact that their clothing is finally being showcased after four years of hard work should be enough incentive for people to come to the show. She said the seniors have worked so hard on all of their pieces. She said everyone has at least six to eight pieces of clothing, and some students have over 10 looks.
“The show is a great example of the kind of talent students have a Tech that isn’t seen in a lot of other majors,” Clegg said. “It’s definitely a chance for the seniors to go out and show everyone what we’ve been doing for the past four years. It’s a great time for our parents to come and family members to see it as well, plus the Tech community is welcomed to see it as well.”
Ramsey with her model.
The show will start at 7 p.m. on April 26 in the Allen Theater. There will be a reception before the show that starts at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $10 for anyone in the Lubbock community. Tech students can get their tickets for $5 if they bring a valid Tech ID. For ticket inquiries contact Hannah Clegg at hannah.clegg@ttu.edu.
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