Take a peek behind the curtain of the 2024 O’More Fashion Show.
Three fashion merchandising students of different years provided insight into all things O’More: preparing for a fashion show, what brought them to Belmont and how O’More College of Architecture and Design has set them up for success in their future careers.
Check out their Q&A:
What was your role in preparing for the 2024 fashion show?
Emmy: “I worked back of house – pairing models with designers, ensuring smooth transitions and timing during the show. We had kids in this show, so I also checked in with them and made sure they had a good time. It was a great learning experience, and we had a lot of creative freedom. Obviously, the designers get to have their own creativity, but we got to take those collections and place them where we think is best.”
Lane: “I worked with our marketing team to grow our audience and promote the show with our new Instagram account for O’More fashion. We’ve been able to take that and run with it – coordinating student takeovers and reminding people that we have this awesome thing coming up. It’s been super exciting to see the growth of that page and see the Belmont community get more involved. Leading up to the show, I oversaw creating the schedules, and I be worked back of house the day of the show.”
Tabitha: "I was on the production side, and we were so excited to get into the Curb Event Center and start building out the stage. We had so many ideas, and it was really cool to work with faculty to bring them to life. I also helped with model fittings, taking photos of the garments, assisting with the videos – the experience was jam packed.”
Photo: Sam Simpkins
How has O’More prepared you for life beyond college?
Emmy: “This experience has given me the structure I need to coordinate a successful event and the freedom to try new things, learn and make mistakes. When I’m in the industry, I’ll be able to understand that things don't always go as planned and I’ll have the tools to handle it. O’More professors are really encouraging while also pushing us to do our best work, which is essential when trying to land a job in the industry.”
Lane: “They want us to be over–prepared when we apply for jobs, so every class I’ve taken has given me a tangible look into the industry – like visual merchandising, retail buying, simulation and product proposal/development. The professors know us well and can give us assignments where they know we’ll thrive. Like in this fashion merchandising class for the show, Stephanie [Reese] knew how to separate us into teams and help us work naturally together.
We make LinkedIn profiles right away and are taught to take screenshots of our work so we can track our evolution as we make our portfolios. We're only equipped with a tool belt of so many different programming websites and illustration software we could need in our careers. And if we don’t know it, we’re able to pick it up quickly because of our O’More education.”
Tabitha: “The relationships we develop with our peers and faculty are so special, especially due to the smaller class sizes. The professors are hands-on, but also push us to get out of the classroom and get experience. We have portfolio workshops and network with industry professionals, so the real-world opportunities provided for us make going to class feel like I’m stepping into my career already.”
What made you pick the major?
Emmy: “I'm from a small town in Arkansas, and I loved everything about the fashion industry. I would read articles, watch vlogs of people in fashion merchandising. I knew it would be hard work. O’More really stood out to me because of the hands-on experience they provide, and I've made so many great connections through this program already. They helped me land a summer internship that I’m really excited about – I’ll be in New York working for Steve Madden.”
Lane: “I planned to apply to Belmont as a nursing major because of my love for science and math. But through the retail job I was working at the time, I discovered an interest in the fashion industry and the logistics behind running a retail business. The second I stepped into the Hitch building and saw the state-of-the-art O’More facilities, my whole world changed. They’re literally in the heart of campus. They drew me in, and I realized I could combine my analytical skills and my creative interests into one program. It’s a hard major to put in a box, because you’re doing so many things. But it’s the perfect mix.”
Tabitha: “I was in cosmetology school during my senior year of high school, but I planned to study nursing. Once visiting, I realized that wasn’t my path, and I decided to check out the business school. They mentioned fashion, so we ran over to Hitch to check it out. It was right after the fashion show had happened and Jamie [Atlas], chair of the fashion department, sat down with me and my family and we talked through everything. I immediately fell in love and switched my major with her that day. Though I’m still not sure what I want to do in the industry when I graduate, I know I’m in the right place because I love what I do every day.”
What do you wish more people knew about fashion merchandising?
Emmy: “I would really love for people to just understand that working in the fashion industry is not an easy job. It's a lot of difficult, hard work. My summer internship is a 9-5, and it’s an investment in my career. I'm willing to do that because of how much I love the industry – it’s something that impacts everyone, not just those working in fashion.”
Lane: “Fashion is truly just a look into somebody's life. It’s an art form within itself, it reflects personality. Why did you choose to wear something comfy on one day, and business casual the next? It may be what some people have to wear for their job, but for others it’s their way to find a creative outlet each day. Without creativity in clothing, there would be such a lack of color and personality in the world.”
Tabitha: “It’s incredibly time consuming, but O’More has really helped us develop time management skills. I’ve learned to appreciate the clothes I wear every day, because I know understand the process from start to finish. It’s a gift to look at a garment and notice the construction and ideation and creativity behind it.”
Photo: Sam Simpkins
An O’More education prepares students for the future on day one, producing stellar alumni who have gone on to open their own businesses, work for high-end retailers and pave the way for more Bruins in the fashion industry.
Adult degree options are available as well, allowing creatives who are looking for a career shift later in life to get the same hands-on experience. At Belmont, fashion merchandising students will have a chance to study the global industry through study abroad trips and internships across the country.
For students who don’t want to pick between their creative or methodical side, O’More College provides a dynamic environment for their duality to prosper.
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