TMD students to showcase new designs at annual show
The textiles, fashion merchandising and design (TMD) department at the University of Rhode Island will host their annual “Spring Splash” fashion show event titled “Waves of Change” to commemorate the changes that the world and the fashion industry have endured during the past two years in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event, which will take place on April 24 in the Memorial Union Rainville Ballroom, hasn’t occurred at the University since 2019, according to Elaine Grullon, TMD professor and organizer of the event.
“Spring Splash” is a commemoration and a showcase of student works throughout the entire TMD department, Grullon said, from seniors working in 400-level classes to students in the more introductory design classes.
“Splash is an opportunity to really bring together not just the TMD department and the College of Business, but the University as well,” Grullon said. “It’s not just design, but it’s everything that the department represents, which I think is fantastic. We have a little bit of marketing in there, a little bit of sustainability. Everything that we touch upon is showcased.”
Alongside the work and designs created by students in the TMD department, there will be raffle baskets for prizes, a master of ceremonies and entertainment for spectators to enjoy. The show will have a runway portion and an interview portion with each of the designers showcased.
While the event has been held in Newport in the past, Grullon said that moving it to campus is looking like it will be a good decision for the department, as a lot of people are reaching out to them expressing their excitement to attend something on campus.
Ana Santos, a senior TMD major, is excited to showcase her designs just weeks before her graduation from URI.
“It feels really nice that I’ll be able to participate in a show that I’ve heard so many TMD majors talk about,” Santos said. “A lot of them look forward to it. We did it virtually last year, which isn’t the same experience of having it in person.”
Santos will be showcasing two full outfits at the event. She said that she’s been working on designing these pieces since the beginning of the semester in her TMD classes. The most challenging part of the design process, according to her, was coming up with the right measurements and amount of materials for it to fit the model that will be showcasing her works on the runway.
Santos said that her work in the TMD department at URI and participating in the “Spring Splash” have prepared her for her graduation and prepared her to continue in the fashion industry.
While her lifelong career goal is to be a designer and have her own fashion brand, Santos said that she’s looking for more entry-level jobs upon graduation so that she can solidify the smaller skills that she needs to get there.
Grullon said that the TMD department has been planning to bring this event back in person since the beginning of the semester and that the department has been working together to hand out flyers, make social media posts and promote the event as much as they can.The event will be taking place from 4:30-8 p.m. on campus. For more information, visit the TMD website.