VIM Hosts 'Fashion for Japan' to Benefit Relief Effort

Come to Club RUSH this Thursday (April 7) and help VIM and former Detroit Lion Todd (TJ) Duckett raise money for Japan disaster relief.

Check out (and RSVP to) the Facebook event HERE!

ATD Fashion Show

This past Saturday (Feb. 26) we were invited to attend the Annual ATD (Apparel and Textile Design) Fashion Show. The show delivered everything it promised and more, from designs made entirely out of recycled gloves to those made of lottery tickets; each look told a story. Some who attended last year's event (which went by the name of Student Apparel Design Association’s (SADA) Fashion Show) may be wondering what was so different at this year's show. For starters, it was only open to students in the ATD major and each designer was limited to three garments (there was also no theme). Despite these big changes, the department should be proud because they really showcased what the major has to offer and how talented our ATD Spartans are! After the show, we were able to catch board members Tommie Mianecki and Tess Theisen for a Q&A:

VIM: In the past, SADA shows were open to all students. What were some of the factors that played a role in the decision to only hold one fashion show open only to ATD students?
Tommie: We wanted to document and present the talent of the students in this major and have the opportunity to really showcase it.

VIM: Since there is no defined theme, was there an overall message you hope the show conveyed to the audience?
Tess: Each student has such a different mind and design…this was their opportunity to represent themselves. It’s nice not to have to push designers.
Tommie: Our goal was to put on an elegant fashion show but to let the designers tell their own story.

VIM: When do you begin preparing for such a big event?
Tommie: We began planning at the end of August and designs were due before winter break.

VIM: What are some of the things that are looked for in student designers when choosing what designs to feature?
Tess: They [the judges] try to pick your mind behind your design and they want to know that everything about the design has a purpose and a meaning.

VIM: What do you think the student designers benefit from most by participating in this event?
Tess: It’s a chance to feel proud of their hard work and show it off.
Tommie: It’s really exciting to see the final product especially when you know a design in and out…seeing it all come together is really rewarding.

VIM: Is there any advice you would give students who are considering pursuing a future in the fashion industry?
Tommie: Have persistence and work hard!
Tess: You need to love what you’re doing and be ready to put everything you’ve got into the industry.


*NOTE*: The evening's "Best Dress" winner was Rachel Hurley’s Petal Metal (first two pics from the left). Check out our gallery below for a glimpse of the show.

Attention Aspiring Fashion Designers!

The recently opened Michigan Fashion Proto (MFP), 1305 S. Cedar St., Ste. 304, has been established for YOU, aiming to provide designers, established businesses and students with a fully functioning pattern and sample room for production and production-management functions. The MFP consists of industrial machinery, professional standard goods and highly skilled workers.

Owner Rebecca Clark, 35, of Okemos has more than 12 years of experience working in New York's fashion district and has worked with such fashionable presences as Vera Wang, Daisy Fuentes and Lori Goldstein.

Clark's Michigan Fashion Proto will be officially introduced to the public through an opening event that will celebrate Michigan's budding fashion industry on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the MFP studio.

Check out the company's website HERE.