The Fashion Show 2024 Guest Designer: Nordstrom

Ames, Iowa – Iowa State University’s Fashion Show is a showcase of student collaboration, innovation and creativity. When student-designed pieces take the runway on April 20, attendees will also experience a never-before-seen collection from Nordstrom through The Fashion Show’s guest designer program.

Each year, a guest designer collaborates with The Fashion Show to debut a special collection and have employees from the company participate in events during the week leading up to the show, creating an opportunity for Iowa State students to learn from industry leaders.

“We’re very excited to host Nordstrom this year and to see what assortment they will bring for the runway show,” said Outreach Producer and Iowa State senior, Megan Lenzi. “We’re super grateful to work with them and represent a brand like Nordstrom.”

Two Iowa State alumni will be representing Nordstrom at this year’s show. Henry Wang (’11 apparel, merchandising, and design; art and design) is a product developer for Nordstrom and Abby (Jones) LaNasa (’15 apparel, merchandising, and design) is a senior technical designer for the company.

“We’re also looking forward to incorporating Nordstrom’s brand into Midnight Bloom, The Fashion Show’s theme for the year. It will be awesome to see those two facets come together,” said Outreach Producer and Iowa State senior, Sadie Besch. “It’s an amazing opportunity to spend time with the Nordstrom representatives and take them back to their Iowa State roots.”

Nordstrom, Inc. exists “to help our customers feel good and look their best.” Since starting as a shoe store in 1901 with a strong focus on customer service, the company has grown into more than 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations with a digital presence through Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites.

“Nordstrom is a premier luxury department store brand, known for their designer offerings and legendary customer service. It will be fantastic to have them on campus and involved with The Fashion Show this year,” said Linda Niehm, Interim Chair, Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management.

Past guest designers for The Fashion Show have included Vans, Steve Madden, Patagonia and Urban Outfitters.

The Fashion Show is on April 20 at 7 p.m. in Iowa State University’s C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now through the Iowa State Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.

2024 Guest Designer

Represented by:

Henry Wang

Wang is a 2011 graduate from Iowa State with a double degree in apparel, merchandising, and design with a focus in merchandising and event/public relations and a degree in art and design with a focus in studio arts and textile science. His fashion journey started in Los Angeles as a designer and merchandiser for several small lifestyle fashion companies before pursuing a career in product development and sourcing in  larger brand companies of GUESS? Inc, VINCE and Simon Miller. Wang is currently a product developer for Nordstrom managing women’s apparel for Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Caslon and Chelsea28 brands.

Abby (Jones) LaNasa

LaNasa is a 2015 graduate from Iowa State with a degree in apparel, merchandising, and design. Her focus was in technical design and she has a minor in textile design. She began her career at Abercrombie & Fitch and then spent time at Old Navy and Stitch Fix. She now works as a senior technical designer at Nordstrom overseeing the Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Caslon and Chelsea28 brands.