The Fashion Merchandising Society consists of a group of students who share a love for fashion. The meetings are open to all, and no prior experience or major is required, according to the club’s executive board.
A meeting can consist of discussing current events in fashion, brainstorming ideas for the club like photoshoots and fundraisers, or getting creative with apparel.
FMS typically meets biweekly either in Quinn Hall or the Memorial Union. Meeting times vary but can always be found on the clubs Instagram page, @uri_fms
Elaine Grullón is the FMS advisor and a professor in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design. The executive board and Grullón work together on ideas, marketing and social media for the club.
This week’s meeting, which was held on Wednesday, Oct. 25. consisted of a clothing painting night. Members brought their own pieces of clothing to embellish and customize. FMS provided the art supplies including brushes, stencils and fabric paint.
The executive board mentioned incorporating a fashion editorial into the College of Business’ weekly newsletter.
Editor of the newsletter, Mary Dohoney, talked about what topics will be covered.
“It will be about not only fashion, but lifestyle,” Dohoney said. “The first issue will be introducing the executive board but the second issue will get into actual stories. It is a great way for writers to get creative.”
FMS will start with one topic a week in the COB weekly newsletter. Once the stories get some traction, FMS hopes to expand their material.
The newsletter will not be limited to writing. A format similar to magazines with photoshoots will also be included. FMS spoke about a potential photoshoot at the Farmers Daughter in South Kingstown, Rhode Island sometime this fall.
To get some hands-on learning with apparel, FMS plans to have a meeting in the Makerspace. The Makerspace is located in the library and provides students access to fabrication equipment like screen printing and sewing machines. There is also 2d/3d design, and virtual reality tools.
In the Makerspace, FMS members can learn how to sew, or get more practice with the skill. There is also an option to upcycle clothing by screen printing. Staff at the Makerspace are more than happy to help students use the equipment.
“They are really helpful there. So that is why we want to bring new people, especially freshmen who may be scared to go,” President Kendall Leuven said. “The workers just go up to you and show you how to use the equipment.”
The clothing made in the Makerspace will ideally be sold by FMS. This is a way for FMS to fundraise for the club and display their creativity.
FMS held a Clothing Drive this semester on Sept. 28. The goal was to collect donations and inform students on the impact of textile waste. The club plans to do another clothing drive this semester by putting donation boxes around dormitory halls.
Students hoping to join FMS are welcome to reach out through email. The club email is [email protected] . Another way to reach is through Instagram DM. The FMS Instagram page is @uri_fms.