Annual fashion show organized by the African American Textile Society, marking the 27th edition
Annual African American Textile Society Fashion Expo Highlights Talented Designers
The African American Textile Society (AATS) Fashion Expo, a highly anticipated event of the spring semester, showcases handmade collections by students from NC State University and neighboring colleges in a runway-style competition. According to Yanni Robinson, AATS Fashion Show Chair, the event aims to offer more visibility to aspiring designers from various educational institutions.
Now in its longest running term at NC State, the Fashion Expo is organized by AATS, a student organization within the Wilson College of Textiles. This year, AATS collaborated with the Black Students Board to hold the event during Pan African Week, enabling both events to reach broader audiences.
AATS serves as a safe haven for minorities, providing professional development programs, educational events, and social outreach opportunities, as explained by Andrianna Hodges, AATS Vice President. The planning for the Fashion Expo commenced in October, with the board dedicating numerous hours to recruiting designers, securing a venue, and coordinating judges.
The designers involved invested significant time and effort into developing their collections, beginning in December and having only four months to bring their visions to life while juggling numerous other responsibilities. Fashion design student Neely Mallik expresses her excitement and gratitude for the experience, noting its potential benefits for both her personal growth and future career.
Contestants' designs were evaluated by three industry professionals - William Carter Jr., Ashley Davis, and Stephen Satterfield - based on categories such as design construction, design appearance, creativity, collection cohesiveness, and overall presentation. Six awards were distributed among the winners in both the novice and intermediate categories, with each of the top three finalists receiving scholarships.
Serena Denali, a student from Meredith College, claimed first place in the intermediate category, while Neely Mallik, a sophomore studying fashion and textile design, emerged victorious in the novice category. Her collection, inspired by various cities and their unique characteristics, was a testament to her dedication and hard work throughout the semester. Mallik's designs represented six different cities, each piece showcasing elements drawn from the city's architecture, history, fashion, and overall atmosphere.
- Relevant information from enrichment data:
- African American textile art and culture are significant, with events like the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive exhibition of African American quilts celebrating these traditions.
- The 2025 Met Gala celebrated Black style, showcasing the cultural and historical importance of Black fashion.
- Events such as AFRI CONVERSE at Expo 2025 Osaka highlight the significance of African textiles and the potential for cultural exchange through fashion.
While this information does not pertain directly to the AATS Fashion Expo, it underscores the broader cultural importance of African American textile art and fashion.
- The African American Textile Society (AATS) Fashion Expo, with its focus on showcasing talented designers, aligns with the cultural significance of African American textile art and fashion, as seen in events like the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive exhibition and the 2025 Met Gala.
- The winning designs from the AATS Fashion Expo, such as Neely Mallik's city-inspired collection, showcase the creativity and cultural awareness that reflects the rich tradition of African American textiles, like those featured in AFRI CONVERSE at Expo 2025 Osaka.
- Scholarships awarded to the Fashion Expo winners not only recognize their talent and hard work but also provide opportunities for further education and self-development in fields like fashion, design, and textiles, contributing to the preservation and expansion of African American textile art and culture.
- As the African American Textile Society Fashion Expo continues to showcase the talent of aspiring designers, it also serves as a platform to reinforce the importance of education and learning in the fashion-and-beauty and education-and-self-development sectors, ultimately contributing to the greater understanding and appreciation of African American textile art and culture.
