The Fashion Show 2023
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.
The Fashion Show
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.
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.
Behind the Scenes Day
April 14, 2023 – 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.
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.Apply for director positions here by September 29th!
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. Stay tuned for this year’s case study for The Fashion Show 2024!
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:
- Kathryn Kaalberg, a designer for apparel at Steve Madden
Matthew Christopher, CEO, chief designer, and creative director for Matthew Christopher, Inc., a couture bridal fashion house and manufacturer in New York City and Iowa - Todd Synder, founder of Todd Snyder
- Mansoor Amjed, a designer for women’s wovens at Marc by Marc Jacobs
- Katherine Noyes, designer for her own women’s clothing label
- Kristine Eikenbary, head designer for both Flip and Seduis
- Marck Marcellus, CEO and head designer for The Denim Factory
- Hannah Leavell, women’s wear designer for Vineyard Vines
- Jerod Harmon and Derek Huenecke, footwear designers for Vans, 2014 graduates of Iowa State’s industrial design program
Need More Information?
The Fashion Show 2024
Managerial Producers: Lindsey Skaaland and Katherine Haidvogel
Outreach Producers: Megan Lenzi and Sadie Besch
Faculty Advisor: Sarah Bennett-George