‘Behind the Seams’

For Parker, her mini collection was personal and deeply meaningful because it was dedicated to her grandmother. During The Fashion Event, Welch played a key role in helping bring out the emotions behind the garment to the runway.

“Mary Ellen is named after my grandmother and Avery’s look is called ‘Sharon’ after my mother,” said Parker. “It’s a bridal collection and it’s supposed to mimic the back of my mom’s wedding dress with the pearls and there are other looks named after my godmother and aunt. The whole collection was just based on what femininity means to me and the women in my life that have influenced me in my values.”

In all, 37 designers created 137 looks that were shown as The Fashion Event featured visual merchandising vignettes, interior design projects, portfolios, a general and capstone collection and 13 senior mini-collections.

“The coolest part to me is everything is student-led,” said Sam Johnson, a freshman model. “You get to see inside how everyone thinks and how they would interpret being creative in their own unique way. You get to really see that through the Capstone projects and really any collection you see on stage. They’re all different aspects of life and where they came from put into their own designs.”

“The garments take on a whole new life whenever you put it on a model,” added Parker. “Sometimes I look at it and I’m like, ‘Did I really make that,’ and it doesn't feel real, but it is.”

Co-sponsored by the College of Human Sciences Department of Consumer and Design Sciences and the Auburn Apparel Merchandising and Design Association, The Fashion Event began in 2011 with a budget of just $300 but since then, it has only grown to be bigger and better each year. That included the move to the state-of-the-art Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, providing an upgraded venue for 2025.

“I think this was just a bigger and better production,” said Parker. “Just the way the stage looked — all the stage lights and we don’t have a gym floor for the runway anymore. But even the dressing rooms for the models with all the lights and the mirrors made it an overall better experience for them too.”

Allison Killingsworth, an employee at Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, attended The Fashion Event and was thoroughly impressed with the attention to detail throughout the show.

“My favorite part of The Fashion Event was seeing the students’ passion and creativity come to life,” said Killingsworth. “You can tell each look is infused with so much thought, talent and individuality. It’s so inspiring.”