Recruiting future students is a vital part of maintaining a healthy college program.  Throughout the year, faculty attend college fairs at local schools and talk to students about a career in the field of fashion.  “Students often have a preconceived idea of what opportunities exist in fashion and college fairs are a good way to help students find a good fit,” Andy Reilly, professor in FDM, said. “Our presence at the college fairs benefit both the student and our program as many of the students aren’t aware that a fashion program exists at UH Manoa,” shared Dr. Cristi-Kim.

Drs. Abby Cristi-Kim and Andy Reilly attended a career and college fair at Farrington High School on April 26, 2024, to talk to potential students about the FDM program.  They estimate they met with about 100 students who expressed interest in learning more about the program and what it can do for them.  Many of the students they talked with had taken, or were planning to take, fashion courses offered at Farrington High School.  The students they talked with said they wanted to be a designer, own their own store, or work in sales.  

Their efforts have paid off as well; 114 students have applied to the FDM program for Fall 2024. 

By Andrew Reily & Abby Cristi-Kim

We are excited to announce that we will have the 58th UHM annual fashion exhibition event, titled In the Multiverse,on Tuesday, April 30th, at the UHM Campus Center Ballroom. Three senior and thirteen junior student designers will present their individual and group collections. Unlike ordinary fashion shows, we will showcase their exquisite collections through authentic videographies, a museum-formed exhibition, and salon-style live model presentations.

More details can be found on FDM IG @fdm_uhm and Fashion show IG @uhmfashionshow. 

In addition, we are seeking event sponsors. For more information, contact Haley Locke, Fashion Exhibition Event PR: hlocke@hawaii.edu. —Ticket sales will start on March 25th.

By Minako McCarthy

Nine lucky students traveled with Dr. Andy Reilly to one of the largest fashion conventions in the world in Las Vegas, February 14 and 15.  Each year, “Magic” attracts vendors and manufacturers from around the world to showcase their collections to industry buyers.  This event is not open to the public, but as faculty, Dr. Reilly was able to take students to experience this aspect of the fashion industry. 

Students attended Magic’s industry seminars at the Las Vegas Convention Center, students attended industry seminars.  One seminar provided an overview of branding; did you know that brands have eight seconds to get a message across to a potential customer on social media?  Another seminar included representatives from the manufacturing industries in Africa, Egypt, and Sri Lanka, who talked about their workforce skills and regional resources.  According to Stephanie Sirju, the trip “made me appreciate my fashion degree beyond what I had in the past and left me with lifelong knowledge, advice, and connections with amazing people.  Not only that, this event put you in a very realistic environment and I’ve learned to navigate myself in fashion environments a lot better.” .......For more information, click the following "Read more" button.