As spring starts to roll around the corner, so does the annual “Spring Splash Fashion Show.” The Textiles, Merchandising and Design Department put this show together every year with this year’s theme being, “Colorful Gardens,” to go along with spring’s arrival. Student designers enter their cohesive looks and undergo numerous rounds of judging in order to get to showcase their pieces on the runway.
For this year, Killian Maloney has aided Susan Hannel, TMD department chair, and has implemented many of his own ideas into this show. Killian is currently a junior and this is his first year assisting with the fashion show. In order to differ this year’s “Spring Splash” from others, both Hannel and Killian decided to hold the show of campus at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island. Moving off campus gave them an opportunity to offer horderves, have a cash bar for anyone over the age of 21 and allow attendees to socialize.
Along with this new venue, Killian decided to provide students and the public a chance to network. Due to the fact that alumni and other sponsors are attending, this will allow attendees to be given the opportunity to introduce themselves and chat with these important figures. Along with networking, attendees can chat with the designers about their pieces and enter into a raffle.
“It’s a very jam packed night,” Killian said.
He wanted to ensure that everyone would be busy and have fun throughout the night. Of course the main focus of this fashion show is to showcase the copious amounts of talent the students in the TMD Department hold. They have spent hours on end in order to finish these pieces since the beginning of fall semester.
“The overall focus is to promote TMD as a whole,” Killian said. “We really want to be seen as a fashion school.”
During the interview Killian touched upon the fact that many people think of the major fashion colleges, that are just centered around fashion, and not URI. He really wants others to realize that URI is a great place to get an education in fashion. Students in the TMD Department are offered the opportunity to develop and enhance their design, sewing and other skills, which will be exhibited in their pieces at this show. They bought new sewing machines from DoYouSew.com, to help the students. This fashion show is meant for all ages. Hannel and Killian wanted to ensure that it was kid friendly but also possible for adults to enjoy as well. Overall it is supposed to be a very fun and enjoyable show that celebrates the TMD Department and the accomplishments that the students in this department have made. Many people will love seeing all the talent that young students have acquired throughout their career here at URI.
“A lot of people here don’t go to New York Fashion week so they really enjoy seeing the clothing and love seeing everything that the designers bring to it,” Killian said.
This experience offers every age a night out to appreciate fashion and showcase the talent that the TMD Department possesses. Tickets are available on the URI alumni website and they are $10 for students and $25 for general admission. The fashion show will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick on April 29 and doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets will not be sold at the doors, so make sure to get yours soon.