college news

what's happening in the college

2017 Tee Time Fashion Show

4/26/2017

Apparel and Design students showcased their creativity and resourcefulness in the 2017 Tee Time Fashion Show that was held April 19th on the front lawn of Doster Hall. While the show typically involves sophomore students in the Apparel Production course, it is open to all apparel design majors who want to participate.

Students are asked to create one or two looks that focus on a mix of sustainable design using alternative materials or knit jersey fabrics. This year's show featured a number of re-purposed denim fabrics, bridesmaid dresses and, for those old enough to remember them, Laura Ashley dresses.

"It's basically an opportunity for sophomore and junior students to get outside the box," said fashion instructor Paula Robinson.

Brian Taylor, an instructor in apparel and design added, “It is an opportunity for the students to experience showcasing their designs to the public and going through the production of a fashion show."

"It helps them not be afraid to get out in front of people," Robinson said. "And every artist and designer is always afraid to get out and do that."

Fashion for Life 2016

11/28/2016

The 2016 Fashion for Life fashion runway show was held on November 20th in the Ferguson Center Ballroom.

Fashion for Life began as a way for senior apparel design students to showcase a final collection. “The whole thing is about them and who they are as a designer,” said show coordinator Brian Taylor, an instructor in the department. “They have to style everything – come up with a hair and makeup concept, accessories and shoes, and they even pick their own music.” But it’s more than that. The course helps young designers build time-management skills. Students start researching inspiration and trends, sketching and buying fabrics and trims over the summer. They then begin working on their different looks on the first day of class, creating a garment every couple of weeks.

“Our industry is so time sensitive, from getting fabrics in on time to communicating with the factories and getting deliveries ready on time,” Taylor said. “They have to learn how to balance that.”

Each of the 21 students will show between three to five head-to-toe looks. This year’s show demonstrated a broad range of design styles and customers. Many of the students are creating ready-to-wear looks, items for cocktail hour or outfits that can transition from day to evening.
While most students designed women’s wear, there were couple who added some men’s wear in their collections. There were also two or three designers who put together special occasion pieces and avant garde looks. One designer created a weekend wedding collection that dresses the bride for her bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, wedding and her travel outfit for the honeymoon.

“They are welcome to do any type of category, any kind of design,” Taylor said. “It’s really about where they see themselves going after graduation, what kind of company they want to work for.”

Event attendees not only enjoyed a night of talent and fashion, but they also helped a much-deserved organization. Proceeds from the show benefited the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Below is a pre-show photo shoot that highlights each of the looks. Designer names appear below their creations.

CHES Doll Collection Exhibit

11/22/2016

An assortment of dolls from the collection

A few of the dolls from the Gorgas House Museum exhibit

A new exhibit at The University of Alabama’s Gorgas House Museum may bring a sense of nostalgia for some visitors. The Museum will display a large collection of dolls that represent four generations of the Paul Bryant family. The collection, which is part of the College of Human Environmental Sciences Carolyn Thomas Stewart Costume and Textile Collection, includes dolls, doll furniture, paper dolls, doll houses and doll accessories.

There are more than 900 pieces in the collection, including 125 dolls that are representative of cultures and customs from around the globe. The collection began with a large donation by Mary Harmon Moman Hilburn in 1988 and has expanded over the years with additional donations from faculty, community members and alumni. There are bisque dolls, nuthead dolls, cloth body dolls, wire dolls, composition dolls, yarn dolls, wooden dolls and more, said Dr. Virginia Wimberley, exhibit curator and an assistant professor in the department of clothing, textiles and interior design. Some of the dolls date individually to the late 19th century. There is even a doll — the Alabama Indestructible Doll — that was the only doll to be made in Alabama until the time of the 1988 donation, she added.“Dolls are a very important part of any culture,” Wimberley said. “They allow children to role play future adult roles, do imaginative play. The dolls are part of our material culture and tell about society with the images and materials that are used.”

The Doll Collection will be available to the public during regular museum tours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Nov. 21 through Dec. 23. The Museum will be closed Nov. 24 and 25.

“We chose the doll collection because not only do many children receive toys at Christmas, but the dolls are also colorful and festive and help add to the atmosphere of our holiday decorations,” said Lydia Joffray, director of Gorgas House Museum. “I hope people can take away an appreciation for dolls in the past as well as an appreciation for the differences and likenesses of dolls from other cultures."

For more photos visit our facebook page.

China Retail Study Tour

10/18/2016

China is the number one supplier of textiles and apparel to the United States and it is also expected to be the world's largest retail market by 2018. The China Retail Study Tour program is designed to give students opportunities to learn and experience China's apparel industry and retailing market first-hand. The two weeks in China includes visits to the fashion school, corporate headquarters, designer studios, garment factories and major retailers as well as the top tourist attractions in Beijing and Shanghai.

The China Retail Study Tour from UA CHES on Vimeo.

Joseph ROwland AWard

10/12/2016

Photo of Brian Taylor and a student, working on designs

Taylor (right), works with a student on designs

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Human Environmental Sciences presented Brian Taylor with the Joseph Rowland Teaching Award at its Homecoming Convocation Sept. 30.
The award is given annually to recognize CHES teaching excellence.
Taylor, an instructor, has been a vital contributor to the College since becoming a clothing, textiles and interior design instructor in 2006. He is responsible for the senior clothing selection and recommended using the yearly event as a Fashion for Life fundraiser.
Over the past year, Taylor served as a member of four CHES committees and was involved with invitation design and event planning in addition to merchandise development for “Little AL,” a spectator football toy. He also worked with graduates for the Huntsville Fashion Art Fusion Runway Show at the Huntsville Museum of Art.
“As a teacher creating a pathway for his students – from novice to professional – Brian provides a role model for his students that proves invaluable as they execute the tricky world of fashion design,” said Dr. Shirley Foster, assistant professor and chair of UA’s clothing, textile and interior design department, in her nomination letter on behalf of Taylor. “He is resourceful, talented and articulate.”
Taylor devised a plan to involve members of the fashion industry with his students as they completed their final collections in 2014. This idea was a basis for the development of an advisory board for the fashion design concentration.
Taylor earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UA in 1999 and 2005, respectively. For his master’s project, he created and developed the nonprofit organization Planting Stitches. He received two grants from UA’s Office of Community Affairs to fund the project, which worked to match talented hand sewers in the Black Belt with companies that market hand-made apparel.
Taylor has taught multiple classes at UA. Outside of academia, he has worked as a designer for Dillard’s, developing body styles and flats and designing two junior’s private label brands, among other initiatives.
“He represents the future of our college,” said Foster. “He has respect for the past and the desire and ability to incorporate the needs of the future into his teaching, which helps our students grow ever more competitive in the work place.”

college news

2017 Tee Time Fashion Show

Fashion for Life 2016

CHES Doll Collection Exhibit

China Retail Study Tour

Joseph ROwland AWard

Author

Archives

Categories

Contact Us

More CHES Links

Helpful Resources