The Texas State Fashion Merchandising Association held their semiannual Fall Fashion Show Thursday, Nov. 15, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The association was able to close off a stretch of San Antonio Street in Downtown San Marcos.
The FMA Fashion Show showcases students’ designs as well as local retailers. The show is organized and put on almost solely by students. There were student models, DJ’s and coordinators. The tickets were $7 each, reserving a seat.
The fashion show was created to bring attention to the Fashion Merchandising school, as well as create a space of creativity for local talent. It gives students from a variety of fields and interests a chance to work together collaboratively. There was room for everyone to be involved in this show, from fashion design and modeling, to photography and public relations.
Everything from skater streetwear to elegant formal attire was modeled.
Kaci Floyd, Fashion Merchandising Association president, oversees coordination for the show as well as all FMA activities and events throughout the year. She kept busy during the show, running around and making sure things were moving smoothly.
“We partner with student designers and retailers around San Marcos,” Floyd said. “We try to stay away from big names or corporations.”
Floyd said FMA aims to promote Texas State creators and encourage the community to shop locally. Local vendors like River Rose and 2 P’s & Calli’s Boutique presented at the fashion show. During intermission, guests were able to browse the vendors and purchase merchandise.
For the fall show this semester, student designers were paid a special homage. Instead of big-name retailers, student designers were able to open and close the show.
A total of nineteen collections were showcased, 10 of which were designed by students. Out of the other nine, only one was a national retailer. The rest were all local.
Within the last couple years, the show has experienced extreme growth, with this semester’s show being the biggest yet.
Alejandro Garcia, Fashion Merchandising Association Fashion Show coordinator, said he attributes some of the growth to big-name venues the organization has secured recently.
For this show, FMA shut down the portion of San Antonio Street between the Hays County Courthouse and The Marc. In recent semesters, the show has been held in locations like Kissing Alley and the Courthouse lawn.
Garcia said FMA is consistently trying to outdo the show prior and make each semester better than the last.
“We started thinking of ways to make the fashion show more interesting (when planning the show),” Garcia said. “We wanted it to be iconic.”
The show allowed Texas State students of many different backgrounds the opportunity to work together collaboratively. It created an outlet for people of all respects to come together and utilize their gifts in the name of fashion.