Student innovation powers new Cyclone clothing collection

A new design contest, Cyclones Take New York, gives students real-world experience designing licensed merchandise

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State fans looking for a unique way to show off their Cyclone pride will have new options this fall, courtesy of student designers and the inaugural Cyclones Take New York design competition. 

“We know there’s a market we’re not reaching as well as we could and it’s Cyclone fans looking for clothing outside of traditional athletic apparel,” said Ben Vinar, assistant director of trademark licensing. “Cyclones Take New York challenged students to create a product to fill that market gap.” 

Vinar tapped the expertise of Iowa State’s fashion program and student-run retail store, Innovate 1858, to help create the contest. Entries had to include market research, fashion forecasts and a custom design that properly used licensed marks.  

“It was important that Cyclones Take New York gave students a real-world learning opportunity where they could take what they learn in the classroom and use it to create a sellable product,” said Emily M.S.Worrall, doctoral student in apparel merchandising and design and instructor at Innovate 1858. 

Entries were narrowed down to ten finalists who then pitched their products to a panel of judges. 

The prize for all that hard work?  

The three winning designs will be on store shelves in September and the top two designers are going to New York Fashion Week. 

“I am so excited to go to New York for fashion week – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Elli Allen, first-place winner and a senior in apparel, merchandising and design. 

Allen, a lifelong Cyclone fan, created a Clone Cone inspired design that capitalizes on the popularity of embroidery. Iowa Staters can purchase her design on both a sweatshirt and t-shirt. 

Kai Huntoon, a senior in the apparel program, placed second and brought vintage Cyclone pride to life on a neutral-colored, unisex hoodie – both of which are current trends market. He’s going to New York Fashion Week and appreciated the growth opportunity the contest provided. 

“Presenting my ideas taught me to continue being confident when sharing my creative development processes in a professional setting,” Huntoon says. “It was also a great opportunity to strengthen my design portfolio.”  

Contest partner and wholesale supplier of custom-designed apparel, Blue 84, worked with the top three winners and helped them understand the things like pricing, sizing and placement principals it takes to produce a product. 

“I got to meet with Blue 84 and they showed me what my design would look like on the clothing.  I learned all about the different steps that go into the production process, from starting the design all the way through bringing it to life,” said junior in ISU’s apparel program, Piper Michalski. “It was an amazing experience to see everything come together and have my product go to market.”   

Michalski took third place with her sweat set that leans into the athleisure trend and features a star-based design. 

The Cyclones Take New York line will launch exclusively at Innovate 1858, both in store and online, Sept. 3. A launch party will be held at the store on Sept. 5, from 3 to 6 p.m., during the Student Innovation Center’s EXCITE! open house, where Michalski will be in attendance to represent the collection while Allen and Huntoon in New York for Fashion Week.  

The collection launches on Saturday, Sept. 7, with Cyclone retailers, including the Iowa State University Book Store. 

Cyclones Take New York was a collaboration among Iowa State Trademark Licensing, the College of Health and Human Sciences and ISU Athletics. 

2024 Cyclones Take New York judges: 

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