My Experience at Nashville Fashion Alliance at MTSU
Nashville Fashion Alliance is Middle Tennessee State's first fashion club created by me and three other amazing TXMD students. Our club constantly volunteers for fashion shows and other events in Murfreesboro and Nashville. It's a great way to serve our fashion community and connect with people from the industry.
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Being in this group helped me in all of those regards, and my favorite memory was when we put on our very first fashion show. This was a huge deal for us - not only because it was our club's very first - it was also MTSU's first fashion show completely ran by the students - and not just in fashion program. We wanted to branch out and get other clubs involved. We've reached out to students studying music, production, photography, and journalism. Everyone was exhilarated to participate; it wasn't just great exposure for our school - but it was also great way to showcase our skillsets and network. The turn out was phenomenal as we had fashion icons in the audience, and it was such a blessing to have the same people who's fashion shows we've volunteered to, now be guests to ours's. Being able to market and promote this show was such an enjoyment, and it was an honor to be involved in this student event - that; no doubt, helped jump start our participant's' careers.
My Experience Working at Retail
I got my first retail job during my junior year. Belk was looking for a temporary (seasonal) sales associate, and I was more than happy to work for them and put what I've learned in my courses into action. In one of my classes, I learned more about body types and how to properly dress them; this was extremely helpful when I made recommendations to our consumers. I still remember this one time when I was clearing out clothes people left in the changing rooms. I came across a frustrated woman who desperately needed a dress for this upcoming wedding she was attending. She wasn't crazy about anything she picked out; and due to her busy schedule, this was the only day she had any free time to go shopping. I didn't want her to leave unsatisfied, so I went over to her and asked about her situation, about her style and size, and about what she liked and didn't like about her previous picks. I then asked her to wait in the dressing room while I went out to pick out some additional options based on her answers. I will always remember the glow up on her face when she came out in one of my picks that hugged every curve of her body and made her feel amazing! She walked out of the store with a smile on her face, and I was over the moon that I made that happen.
My Experience as a Model
During my Sophmore year, Rue 21 was launching a fashion show to showcase their new upcoming Spring collection, and I became one of their models. Being a very timid and reserved person, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, and I am so glad I did! The level of love and confidence I felt strutting down that runway is indescribable. I had such a fun time, and I got to meet people in hair and makeup, the photographer, the other models, and the store manager - all of whom are wonderful people. I was especially grateful for the store manager for showing me how to plan a successful runway show
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Through this experience, I got to see how much time, teamwork, creativity, effort, and diligence it takes in the process. This experience prepared me for organizing and planning MTSU's student fashion show.