When Dr. Andy Reilly took students to the “Magic” fashion convention in Las Vegas this February, illustrator Trivia Hiller remembered him. She recalled he’s the one with the college students. “That’s really impressive,” Dr. Reilly said. “She drew us last year. So I think we made a good impression.”
Five FDM students went with Dr. Reilly to “Magic,” one of the largest fashion conventions in the world. Students saw and experienced the buying side of the industry and watched vendors showcase their upcoming collections while retailers placed orders.
Dr. Reilly has been taking students to Magic for over 10 years and said he really enjoys helping students connect the classroom to the real world. “Their faces light up as they realize all that it encompasses,” he said. The students spent two days at the convention meeting and networking with potential employers and making connections. This year’s convention featured talks on minority business owners and color forecasting.
Grace Flagg was one of the students who attended. She valued her experience and said, “It was an incredible opportunity to gain more insight on buying and sourcing within the fashion industry. I attended several seminars where industry experts shared their knowledge on the latest trends and best practices. It was fascinating to learn about the emerging technologies and sustainable practices that are shaping the future of fashion.”
While there, students experienced some special events, like practicing their golf swings in a portable, digital golf pod, getting their make-up styled professionally, screen-printing their own t-shirts, and being illustrated by Trivia Hiller.
By Andy Reilly