Fashion Merchandising seniors Elizabeth Capes and Lilly Alemán traveled to New York City on Sept. 11-14 through the University of Collegiate Licensing Company to the biannual fashion week after being selected based on their displays in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) fashion design and merchandising competition. The U of CLC program is sponsored by the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), a marketing partner of Liberty University.
The competition was open to Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Design juniors and seniors. Fashion design students created an original digital garment collection, and Fashion Merchandising students displayed an original creative visual merchandising window display in DeMoss Hall to showcase their work, which was then presented to a panel of judges.
Licensing and Branding Manager of the Marketing Department Kevin Keys said revenue produced by Liberty-licensed products allows Marketing to sponsor sending two students to the U of CLC experience. The decision to send two students was made so the winners could have companionship on the trip, which both girls said was one of their favorite parts of the experience, as their partnership helped them stay strong in their convictions.
“We came from the same background, so it was great to stay grounded,” Capes said.
Capes and Alemán described the experience as inspiring and motivating.
“I was reassured that this is exactly where I want to be,” Alemán said.
Their days included networking with and attending classes from professionals in the industry, visiting the Amazon headquarters, and viewing fashion designer Sergio Hudson’s Spring Read-to-Wear collection. According to Alemán, the Amazon headquarters trip was an interesting experience. She explained that they talked with professionals in the Amazon company about how they mixed their work on luxury brands with AI-generated tools to bring a personalized experience to the customer.
Alemán said her favorite part of the experience was the fashion show.
“I’ve never seen something like that right in front of me … being front row,” Alemán said. “… Getting to see that was a growing opportunity.”
The U of CLC experience was more than a stepping stone for Capes and Alemán’s careers. They made solid friendships with peers who shared their same passion for fashion.
“We built long-lasting connections with peers,” Alemán said. “It was a great chance to learn from others that come from a very different experience in their college career …we challenged each other.”
The most impactful portion of the trip, however, was getting to show Christ to others in words and in their day-to-day actions. Alemán and Capes said the trip made them aware of their faith outside of Liberty.
Other students in the program asked them why they chose Liberty, which then opened the door for them to be able to share their faith. One student even asked Alemán if being a Christian was a disadvantage in the fashion industry.
“We can show ourselves and what we can do through God, and that can speak for itself,” Alemán said. “I just won’t compromise on any morals that I have when going into anything.”
Alemán, who plans to become a fashion buyer, said those seeking to enter the fashion industry should take advantage of opportunities outside of school to learn and further their skills.
In contrast, Capes plans to become a creative director in fashion marketing.
“If you have a passion for making others feel confident in the way they dress, you should go for it,” Capes said.
Combs is a feature writer for the Liberty Champion.