A passion for fashion

NAU students mingle with influencers and celebrities at NY Fashion Week.

Five lucky NAU students recently returned from an all-expenses-paid trip to New York Fashion Week. The February trip, dubbed U of NYFW, was made possible through a partnership between NAU, trademark licensing agency CLC, and fashion business IMG.

The NAU cohort joined U of NYFW students from several other colleges around the country. The group attended runway shows with London-based fashion house Hardware LDN and Korean designer Son Jung. The students also attended two panel discussions: The New Standards of Beauty and Creation and a discussion on sustainability and the current popularity of resale fashion. They also participated in a Q&A with representatives from IMG and took a backstage tour for a firsthand view of the production and execution of a fashion show at Spring Studios.

In addition to the Fashion Week experiences, the students attended a private breakfast at the home of jewelry designer Kyle Garcia of collegiate jewelry company Kyle Cavan, where they were joined by Kyle Cavan co-founder Elizabeth Shirley for a discussion on starting and building a brand. Finally, the students had the opportunity to explore the fashion resale industry through a thrift store outfit design challenge.

Here, the NAU students share their thoughts with us about their once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Joey Carosilva

Major: Strategic Communication – Merchandising with a minor in Business

Age: 21

Pronouns: he/him

Hometown: Nogales, Arizona

What was your favorite part of the trip? Why?

My favorite portion of the trip was going to the Hardware LDN show. It was amazing to see how an actual NYFW show works, and we met plenty of important people from the fashion industry!

Did you see or experience anything that you think will guide your career choice?

During the trip, we spoke to many individuals who have successfully made it into the fashion industry, and the main lesson I took from the trip was never to be afraid to network. In this industry, it is all about connections and being dedicated to your work!

What was the fashion show experience like?

The fashion show experience was absolutely unreal because influencers and celebrities were attending the same show as we were. I wouldn’t have expected for the show to be so intimate and fast-paced. I really enjoyed the designs from the show because the clothes displayed are what everyone is wearing today!

What kind of students do you think this type of experience would benefit most?

I believe the students that benefit are people who have a passion for the fashion industry or maybe even people who want to be a part of the entertainment world!

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am very thankful and glad that I was able to be a part of this trip. I met many students from around the country that also have the same passions as I do. If I could re-do the entire trip, I would not hesitate to do it all over again!

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Kyle Killett

Major: Marketing – Sales

Age: 20

Pronouns: he/him

Hometown: Lahaina, Hawai`i

What was your favorite part of the trip? Why?

So many moments changed my life on this trip. My favorite part was meeting the other business and fashion merchandising students. I do not think any universities could have chosen better candidates. Everyone was so wonderful. All the students selected are so passionate and driven to pursue a career in fashion. If I had to isolate a single experience, though, it would be the Hardware London runway show. It honestly took my breath away. The atmosphere was like nothing I have ever experienced, and one day I would like to observe a fashion show in that setting again.

Did you see or experience anything that you think will guide your career choice?

The entire vibe of NYC made me rethink my career choice. I loved the city so much. It made me look for opportunities to move there. I am now so driven to pursue a career in fashion or cosmetics more than ever before. The people walking around the city had so much purpose. It made me want to be a part of the atmosphere. I loved watching people at IMG and NYFW interact with one another, and people were so open to complimenting one another on their fashion choices. Everyone was so uplifting and valued expression above all. The community was so accepting, and diversity was around every corner.

What was the fashion show experience like?

Wow! It is hard to define the fashion show experience. There is no life experience I’ve had to compare this to. The first thing that stood out to me was the production quality. You could tell the amount of effort put in to execute a performance that only lasted a few minutes. I was sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for the next model to walk out in a never-before-seen look; so much suspense and adrenaline came out of watching the performance. It was breathtaking.

What kind of students do you think this type of experience would benefit most?

I think this experience is so pivotal in someone’s career choice. This experience would benefit marketing and fashion merchandising students because the shows and other events mainly tied into those areas of study. Anyone would be fortunate to have this experience, though. Students with any degree of interest in fashion should take this opportunity. They would love it. I was lucky to have had this opportunity because it made me want to pursue a career I didn’t know was possible.

Anything else you’d like to add?

After going on this adventure, I want as many NAU students, especially those in fashion merchandising, to experience this as possible if they are driven, passionate, and interested in the world of fashion.

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Julia Rabussay

Major: Strategic Communication – Merchandising with a minor in Photography

Age: 20

Pronouns: she/her

Hometown: Tempe, Arizona

What was your favorite part of the trip? Why?

My favorite part of the trip was meeting the other students who were on the trip. The other students were interested in so many different aspects of the fashion industry. It was very eye-opening to hear about other potential career opportunities and make friends with like-minded people from all over the country.

Did you see or experience anything that you think will guide your career choice?

U of NYFW allowed me to gain insight on different potential career paths such as what it would be like to own my own fashion business, be a fashion designer, or go into marketing.

What was the fashion show experience like?

The New York Fashion Week: The Shows was my first-ever fashion show. We got to watch the brand Hardware London’s show which consisted of edgy streetwear looks, which really resonated with my personal style.

What kind of students do you think this type of experience would benefit most?

I think any student who wants to go into fashion as their career, no matter how they plan on doing so, should look into this opportunity. It gives a new perspective on how many different careers are available within the fashion industry and may help to show where they might fit in best.

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Naomi Rusk

Major: Theatre – Design and Technology

Age: 20

Pronouns: she/her

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

What was your favorite part of the trip? Why?

My favorite part of the trip was seeing the actual fashion show for Hardware London. The show was so beautiful, and just furthering my passion for fashion. Other than the actual show, my favorite part was being able to meet and connect with other students who share my interests, especially the students from NAU.

Did you see or experience anything that you think will guide your career choice?

This trip will definitely guide my career choice. I am currently studying costume design in the theatre department, but now I’m definitely expanding my horizons to fashion design as well. I hope to go to grad school in New York after I graduate from NAU.

What was the fashion show experience like?

It honestly felt unreal; it kind of felt like we were celebrities. That show will forever be a core memory that will fuel my dedication to design.

What kind of students do you think this type of experience would benefit most?

This specific experience would definitely benefit anyone interested in fashion, but it is necessary that one be very driven and devoted.

Anything else you’d like to add?

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I would just like to thank NAU and U of NYFW for providing this opportunity!!

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Alexis-Marie Soliven

Major: Strategic Communication – Merchandising

Age: 21

Pronouns: she/her

Hometown: Litchfield Park, Arizona

What was your favorite part of the trip? Why?

My favorite part of the trip was attending the Hardware LDN show! It was my first time attending a fashion show, and it was absolutely incredible. I loved seeing all of the different outfits, on and off the runway. I also loved meeting all of the other students from universities all over the United States. We were all just so excited and grateful to be there!

Did you see or experience anything that you think will guide your career choice?

During this trip, I had the opportunity to meet industry professionals from Vogue Magazine and IMG! I am open to any job opportunity in the fashion industry and would love to help produce the shows in the future!

What was the fashion show experience like?

Attending the Hardware LDN show was surreal. I remember my heart was beating so fast because I couldn’t believe I was actually there. It was an incredible experience being in a room packed with such like-minded people with a passion for the industry.

What kind of students do you think this type of experience would benefit most?

Students with a passion for the fashion industry would certainly appreciate this experience the most. However, I believe that this program is beneficial to students in many different fields. I realized that NYFW is not just for people in the fashion industry. There were lawyers, influencers, photographers, and more! There is a place for everyone at NYFW.

Anything else you’d like to add?

The U of NYFW program really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it, and I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life!