The Fashion Show

The Fashion Show 2025

The long runway, dazzling lights, and stunning clothing designs are just one side of the acclaimed Iowa State annual Fashion Show. Spectators from around the nation pack CY Stephens Auditorium to nearly sold-out crowds of 2,500 each year — and there is much more to the Fashion Show than meets the eye.

The Fashion Show is produced entirely by students. From press releases to stage lighting, students from any major can apply to work on The Fashion Show. It’s recognized by students as an intense leadership challenge, but the hard work and long hours are well worth it.

The Fashion Show 2024 will take place on April 20, 2024, at 7 p.m. in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster or at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium’s Box Office. We hope to see you all there!

2024 Guest Judges

Behind the Scenes Day

Behind the Scenes Day is designed for both prospective students and their family members and high school fashion students and their teachers. Visit the Behind the Scenes Day page to learn more!

Get Involved

Valuable Experience

By participating in one of the largest student run fashion shows in the nation, Iowa State students are exposed to leadership training and professional development, that help build their portfolios and future careers. Not only do students learn how to collaborate and develop team-oriented skills, they learn how to work towards a larger show and what it means to be a part of something bigger.

Event Planning Course

Being accepted as a leader for The Fashion Show includes enrollment in AESHM 272: Fashion Show Promotion and Production for committee members and AESHM 472: Fashion Show Management for directors.

Impact in the Community

While The Fashion Show is a much-anticipated event to the Iowa State campus community, the event is much more than one night of glamour and excitement. Throughout the year, the philanthropy committee involves themselves and gives back by working with several organizations including Hughats and Dress for Success.

Committees

From podcasts and special events to stage lighting and set building, students from any major can apply to work on one of The Fashion Show committees. The positions include managerial producers, outreach producers, directors, and committee members. The Fashion Show has 15 different committee teams that need directors and committee members. Director applications open in September, and are contacted at the beginning of October. Committee member applications open later in October, and will be decided by the end of the fall semester.

The Fashion Show’s 15 different committees include:

Submit a Case Study

Every year, students have the opportunity to complete a case study for the Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Fashion Show Merchandising Scholarship. The case study prompt is a partnership with a leading company in the fashion industry. Students can put their merchandising skills to work by creating an innovative approach for the case study scholarship.

This year, The Fashion Show is honored to partner with Oak Lane Candle Co. for the Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Fashion Show Merchandising Scholarship. Their team created and judged a case study project for Iowa State University students to research and complete. This year’s case study involved students developing an interactive customer experience to drive in-store sales at Oak Lane Candle Co. Stacy Negrete, the founder of Oak Lane Candle Co. was excited to get input from Iowa State students.

All submissions are due by Sunday, April 14th, at 11:59 PM. Please contact thefashionshow@iastate.edu if you are interested in competing.

Alumni Judges and Designers

Many alumni of The Fashion Show have gone on to have successful careers in design, production, and merchandising. Each year, four alums of the program are asked to be guest judges for the garments. Their real-world expertise is invaluable, as they give student designers critique and encouragement.

Each year, The Fashion Show also invites a guest designer to be a part of the show festivities, including giving presentations to high-schoolers for Behind-the-Scenes day, interviews with campus newspapers and magazines, showcasing original designs for the runway show, and more.

The Fashion Show has been fortunate enough to draw from a pool of talented alumni to return to campus for the event. In the past, Iowa State has hosted these fine designers:

Submit an Entry

If you are a current Iowa State student interested in submitting work for The Fashion Show, email tfsdesign@iastate.edu for more information.

The Fashion Show 2023 Recap

The 2023 Fashion Show hit the runway on April 15 dazzling a sellout crowd of over 2,000 people in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Nearly 150 students came together throughout the year to plan and execute this high-profile event. Over 70 student designs were featured. STEVE MADDEN, represented by Iowa State alums, Kathryn Kaalberg and Hannah Sinclair, were this year’s guest designers and the show featured a never-before-seen collection from the company complete with matching pet outfits.