Athens, Ga. – The department of textiles, merchandising and interiors in the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences will host the first UGA Fashion Week Feb. 20-24. The week brings together several student organizations in a number of fashion-related events, including two fashion shows, a film panel discussion and a presentation by style entrepreneur Erica Benoit.
UGA Fashion Week kicks off Feb. 20 at 9:30 p.m. with a dance party at Silver Dollar Bar. Hosted by UGA student fashion magazine Little Red Book, the evening will include a best-dressed contest judged by representatives from Athens-based companies Cheeky Peach, Showpony, Agora and Flirt Fashions.
A screening and panel discussion of fashion on film will be held on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in room 171 of the Miller Learning Center. UGA professors Ivan Ingermann, department of drama and theatre; Mark Callahan, Lamar Dodd School of Art; and José Blanco, department of textiles, merchandising and interiors will present and discuss short films showcasing collaborations between fashion houses and movie directors. Sponsored by Vince Camuto, the screening will include prizes and raffle items.
The week continues with Benoit’s special presentation “Styling: Inspiration to Success” on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in room 171 of the Miller Learning Center. Benoit has more than 12 years of experience in the fashion industry working with her company benoitENSTYLE, writing editorials in Elle and Essence magazines and professionally styling Usher. The event is sponsored by Rent-the-Runway with gift card raffles and other promotions. The night includes a sneak peek of the African Night Fashion Show “Earth, Wind, and Fire” to be held on March 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. at the Oconee County Civic Center. Student stylists will showcase traditional, modern and designer fashions from Africa.
On Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. the Tate Student Center Grand Hall will welcome the latest Athens spring fashions during the Student Merchandising Association’s 18th Annual Fashion Show “Destination: Spring Break” benefitting UGA HEROs. The pre-show features sportswear designs by Alta Gracia, a company that supports a living wage for the people who make its clothes. Tickets are $7 with refreshments included.
Fashion Week will conclude on Feb. 24 with the Fashion Design Student Association’s fashion show “Where the Wild Things Are.” Student designers will enter into a world of wild creations and adventures in the realm of fierce fabrics and delicate designs. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $7. Proceeds benefit Radio Tanzania: Reviving the Forgotten Archives, a project that aims to preserve more than 100,000 hours of Tanzanian music on reel-to-reel tapes. The event also includes a pre-show that features the UGA Tartan and student products for TXMI & Co., which is a part of UGA textiles, merchandising and interiors courses.
Also part of fashion week is an exhibition of “Ellie’s Clothes” in the first floor lobby display cases of the Miller Learning Center. The items are a part of UGA’s historic clothing and textiles collection and are from the Montgomery Collection. The pieces were worn by Eleanor “Ellie” Morgan Montgomery Atuk and include designs by Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta and Bill Blass.