Kicking Off the 2015-2016 School Year

Hey fashionistas!

It has been so much fun seeing all of you at the recent meetings and I am so excited that this year is in full swing! Whether you're a new member or a familiar face, the executive team is so happy to share all the fun things we have planned for the semester. Here are some introductions for all the members of the executive team so you can get to know us!

President- Morgan Holton

Morgan Holton is a senior Visual Communications major with a minor in retail. Originally from Irmo, SC, she's been able to find her home just a little ways from home at USC. Morgan got involved with Fashion Board her freshman year, finding various ways to get involved. This year, she has the privilege of serving as president of an organization that has given her so much. In her spare time, you can find Morgan dancing, hanging out with her dog, or watching Scandal.

Director of Programming- Rilinda Harris

Rilinda Harris is a Retail Management Major and Spanish Minor. As a Junior she juggles being Director of Programming for FB, a Resident Mentor, and remaining on the Dean's List. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends, traveling, dancing, and of course shopping.

Secretary-Kristy Martin

Kristy is a junior Fashion Merchandising major, Business Administration minor from Charlotte, NC. She has been an active member since her freshman year. Last year she was our Executive Assistant for Fashion Board. This past summer she was the styling/marketing intern for personal stylist, Kellie Trumper, in Chicago, IL. Currently, she is a campus rep for a start up bowtie company called Deck Head. In the past she has worked at Nordstrom, Augusta National, and has also attended Teen Vogue Fashion University. She hopes to get as many people just as excited and passionate about Fashion Board as she is. 

Director of Community Service and Outreach- Angel Prater

Angel is a sophomore retailing major from Charlotte, North Carolina. She was an active member of Fashion Board throughout her freshman year by designing for Reclaimed Runway. She also helped dress models during the Finale Show of Fashion Week.

Treasurer- Mary Wilbur

Mary Wilbur is a sophomore business school student with a minor in retailing. She was born in San Francisco and moved to Columbia with her family at the age of 14. She has always been obsessed with fashion and her role model is Coco Chanel. 

Executive Assistant- Lara Olson

Lara is a sophomore majoring in retailing with a minor in advertising/PR. Her hobbies include cooking, throwing shade, drinking cappuccinos, Buzzfeed, Netflix and napping. Her favorite color to wear is black and her favorite designers are Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Saint Laurent RTW.

Co-Director of Public Relations- Kate Dunn

Kate is a transfer student senior Advertising and Communications Major with an Associates in Fashion Merchandising Management. She grew up in Hamilton, NJ where she was fortunate enough to be able to work in NYC for 3 years and get a sense of the fashion industry. She got involved in Fashion Board last year and helped a lot with the social media during Fashion Week. She loves to be social on social media, as well as make people laugh and have fun. 

Co-Director of Public Relations- Katie Landmesser

Katie is a sophomore majoring in retailing with a minor in advertising/PR from Greenville, SC. In addition to working with Kate on the blog and social media for Fashion Board, she loves spending time with her sorority sisters and keeping a personal fashion blog. Right now she is a campus representative for the brand Elizabeth & Clarke and dreams to one day study abroad in Paris. 

I hope that you enjoyed reading about this year's Executive Team! Our next meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14 at 7 pm in Coliseum 3001. We will be giving out information about study abroad and we look forward to seeing you there!

xoxo,

Katie Landmesser

USC Fashion Week 2015: Student Designer Showcase

While spectators stroll around the student vendor tables in anticipation of the oncoming show, backstage is organized chaos. Designers, models and volunteers all play their part in making sure that every part of each collection comes together perfectly. Finally, everything falls into place and the Student Designer Showcase begins.

Four student designers presented their work at the event. The first was Anne Coleman, whose tribal-inspired designs incorporated warm earth tones and relaxed structure. Following that were Delaney Dunkley’s chic dresses made from newspapers. She was inspired by sustainability and wanted to spread a message about it. Next came the daring pieces created by Dia Sharper. Her designs used fabric in striking shapes and were accented by gold chains. Last was Amelia Shuler’s 20s, 40s, 60s and 90s inspired collection. Her feminine and colorful looks were emblematic of the stages of women’s fashion throughout American history.

The three judges, Melissa Karl, Molly McNutt and Julie Hutt had to make their decision after seeing all four collections. The Carolina Gentlemen made the crowd swoon with a few numbers during the judges' deliberation. Anne Coleman was chosen as this year’s winner and as the audience favorite. She won a $250 cash prize and Alexander McQueen coffee table book. Delaney Dunkley came in second with a $100 cash prize. All of the designers created beautiful pieces and we can’t wait to see what’s in store next year!

Katie Landmesser

Member

USC Fashion Week Finale Show

This year's USC Fashion Week was a huge success with help from the Columbia and Gamecock community. Yesterday's Finale Show in 701 Whaley featured different styles for summer from various favorite Columbia retailers. The collections from Bohemian, Brittons, Copper Penny, Entourage, Ivy & Leo, Just the Thing, LaRoque, Pink Sorbet, Steel Garden and Vestique were featured by fellow student models strutting down the runway. Every collection was beautifully styled and perfectly encapsulated the originality of the various boutiques. The great turnout helped show the spectrum of styles we have here in Columbia and brand awareness to stores in our own backyard. Fashion Board members that have went above and beyond in helping with the fashion show planning process were awarded scholarships funded by our local retailers. Executive Board members for Fashion Board have done another wonderful show especially with the help of its president, Jessica Kiraly. A big thanks for everyone who volunteered and for the retailers that made this happen. We could not have done it without everyone and we are looking forward to another great year in 2016!

Don't forget to check our Facebook page for all photos from the week.

Kate Dunn

Member

USC Fashion Week 2015: Doggy Fashion Show

          March 23, 2015, will go down in doggy history as a day filled with love, cute Instagram pictures and stylish outfits. Dogs all around America felt a little more special than usual considering it was National Puppy Day, but dogs at the University of South Carolina were transformed into divas. Fashion Board at USC partnered with the Columbia Humane Society to put on the fourth annual Doggy Fashion Show. This event was the first event of USC Fashion Week 2015 and it was a huge success. Around 20 dogs were styled in bow ties, tutus and capes as they strutted down the runway at Davis Field. The dogs put on quite a show and kept the crowd vying for more the entire time. The crowd was encouraged to bring their own pups and the best dressed dog was awarded a gift basket donated by the Humane Society. A Jake's On Devine gift card was also raffled off to use during Yappy Hour––their dog friendly happy hour. Tutus, capes and bow ties were also given to the public with each donation made to the Humane Society. After the last dog walked the runway, the Humane Society was presented with a check for $200 to go towards protecting animals and finding safe homes for these adorable doggies. People may be looking for a best friend, but these dogs are looking for someone to buy them outfits, accessories and style them like royalty.

Check out a few photos below and head to our Facebook for the rest of the shots!

Fashionably yours,

Morgan Williams

Member

USC Fashion Week 2015

As the warm weather is approaching, so is one of the best weeks to be a USC student: Fashion Week. This years USC Fashion Week will be fully packed with fun and style starting March 23 and ending on March 26. 

Kicking off Fashion Week, Fashion Board members will be on Davis Field, between Russell House and the Thomas Cooper Library from 11-2 handing out information, promotional items and treats. Later that day at 5:30 on Davis Field is the Doggy Fashion Show. The Columbia Humane Society’s pups will be walking down the runway in tutus, bow ties and capes! All dogs are available for adoption, and the proceeds from the raffle will be going towards the Humane Society. Students are encouraged to bring their pups to the event and the best dressed dog will receive a basket courtesy of the Humane Society! Both of the day's events are free and opened to everyone in the USC community. 

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Melissa Karl, the Associate Accessories Editor at Lucky Magazine, will speak about her experiences in the industry. Melissa is a fellow Gamecock and former Fashion Board President. She graduated in 2012 in the Department of Retailing. Arrive to this exciting event early at 6:30 p.m. to network! The event will be at the Arnold School of Public Health in Room 114 with free entry to the public.

Wednesday at 7 p.m. marks the 4th Annual Student Designer Showcase on 701 Whaley. Come and see students' amazing designs and support them by purchasing their craftsmanship at the student vendor tables at 6 p.m. in our style lounge. The judges will be Melissa Karl, Chirs Harris from Image Ink and the 2014 Student Designer Showcase winner Molly McNutt. Our own Carolina Gentleman will also make an appearance with a special performance.Tickets are required for entrance $5 pre-sale and $7 at the door. 

The night you have all been waiting for has finally come, the 7th Annual Finale Show. On Thursday at 6 p.m. we will be starting the fashion show at 701 Whaley with a silent auction and local vendor tables in the style lounge. The fashion show takes off at 7 featuring Columbia’s top retailers Britton’s of Columbia, Bohemian, Copper Penny, Entourage, Ivy & Leo, Just the Thing, LaRoque, Pink Sorbet and Steel Garden. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding and hardworking Fashion Board students. Tickets are required for entrance $7 pre-sale and $10 at the door.

Hope to see everyone at the events! Get ready for a fabulous time supporting Fashion Board and Columbia's retailers! 

NYFW 2015 F/W - February 17

Michael Costello’s collection was black and grey and metallic all over. I loved the scandalous sky-high slits he also featured in his spring collection. The makeup and hair seemed to be inspired by the Japanese; this included winged eyeliner, bright red lip, and dark statement eyebrows. The hair featured a bizarre Teletubbie bun paired with a tail-like ponytail. The body-hugging dresses, cutouts, shoulder pads, fur, and over-the-knew boots were somehow tasteful and chic which made me love this bold collection.

www.examiner.com

“Blood and Sand” inspired Badgley Mischka’s collection, a movie from the 40s, which explains the Hollywood glamour of complex, elegant patterns, silhouette shapes, and lace tights. The collection featured very royal colors including deep red, dark grey, plum, and golden yellow. The models had a uniform loose half up 60’s beehive hairstyle to add to the glamorous sequined accents. This was a very retro collection that even gave me a Victorian Era impression.

www.thefashionspot.com

Tory Burch’s collection featured Moroccan vibes with the prints featured.  I loved the mahogany and burnt red and orange colors she combined. There were fringe accents on the belts, purses and sandals that added to the ethnic feel. I really loved the off-white flowy gown with a necktie, this reminded me of the uniform of a Moroccan queen.

www.fashionisers.com

Happy Fashion Week!

Kelsey Spencer, member