Students Receive VIP Behind-the-Scenes Access to New York Fashion Week

Students Receive VIP Behind-the-Scenes Access to New York Fashion Week

Two Michigan State University students who are majoring in Apparel and Textile Design (ATD) received a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry during the February 2025 New York Fashion Week (NYFW). This experience included entry into select runway shows as well as panel discussions and networking opportunities with industry leaders.

Jillian Kelly, who also is majoring in Business Management, and Zoe Jansen were selected for this trip as winners of the University of New York Fashion Week (U of NYFW) Competition.

A young woman with blonde hair smiles while standing in Times Square at night. Bright billboards and a crowd of people surround her.
A young woman stands in Times Square, wearing a white cropped t-shirt with the Michigan State Spartans logo and blue jeans. She is surrounded by city lights and a bustling crowd.
Two young women stand together in Times Square, smiling at the camera. One wears a brown jacket over a Michigan State t-shirt, and the other wears a dark green sweatshirt. They are surrounded by a crowd and bright digital billboards.
Jillian Kelly (left) and Zoe Jansen (right) in Times Square during the University of New York Fashion Week trip.

“I loved this trip so much! It was a dream come true,” Jansen said. “I learned so much about the industry, where I want to work, and how connections can help. I honestly have never felt more sure that this was the path for me, and I’m so happy I get to enter the industry with that confidence.”

During their time in New York City, Jansen and Kelly were treated to runway shows from notable designers and labels, including Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient Kim Shui and her eponymous label, and identical twins Bruce and Glen Proctor with their label namesake BruceGlen, known for its bold patterns and sustainability.

“I learned so much about the industry, where I want to work, and how connections can help. I honestly have never felt more sure that this was the path for me, and I’m so happy I get to enter the industry with that confidence.”

Zoe Jansen

“I loved learning about the behind the scenes of NYFW, but that runway show solidified that I want to create art – wearable art,” said Kelly, who wore a sweater during the trip that she created in her Knitwear (ATD 427) class that is embroidered with the phrase “Wear Your Art On Your Sleeve.” “I would love to be a designer with my designs on a runway. I had chills the whole show and it was just incredible to see debuting designs like that, it was magical for me.”

Jansen and Kelly also visited LA-based designer and IMG Fashion Alliance member Sergio Hudson, who creates luxury women’s ready-to-wear lines produced in the United States, and New York City-based luxury label The Blonds, founded by designer Phillipe Blond and creative director David Blond and known for their glamorously over the top, rebellious fashion that caters to the entertainment industry.

“The Blonds show was right up my alley with sparkle and creativity,” Jansen said. “I was in awe the entire show and felt so inspired by the designs there.”

A fashion show audience watches as a model walks down the runway in a striking red.
The University of New York Fashion Week experience included runway shows from notable designers, including Kim Shui, Bruce and Glen Proctor, and Phillipe and David Blond.

The students also received a backstage experience that included special access to the TRESemmé Style Studios and Q&As with leading representatives from WME Fashion and related businesses who provided valuable insight into careers and opportunities in fashion.

In addition to these New York Fashion Week experiences, the students spent a half day visiting with the teams at California-based fashion brand Aviator Nation and New York-based embroidery studio Klein Designs.

“Meeting with Klein Designs was inspiring because she was able to give insider knowledge about how to put yourself and your brand out there in a more recent time frame,” Kelly said. “You hear about the history of big brands and how they came to be, but it’s not the same path for designers nowadays. I think that was the most insightful thing for me since I am currently trying to launch my own business.”

“I loved learning about the behind the scenes of NYFW, but that runway show solidified that I want to create art – wearable art…I had chills the whole show and it was just incredible to see debuting designs like that, it was magical for me.”

Jillian Kelly

The competition Jansen and Kelly won to earn the New York Fashion Week trip asked ATD students to use upcycled denim garments to design an Avant Garde fashion piece. The denim garments were donated by Follett at the Spartan Bookstore. The student participants were given the following questions to guide their creativity: Why is my major Apparel and Textile Design? Who am I as a designer? What does dress mean to me? What do I value, and how is that present in my work? What do I add to the design world?

Kelly created a design focused on inclusivity.

“My design represents my vision as an Apparel and Textile Design major as it captures my belief that fashion transcends traditional boundaries of gender and wearability,” she said. “Created from 90% recycled, repurposed denim, and other materials, this is not just an ensemble but a statement on sustainability, inclusivity, and the art of transformation.”

Three mannequins dressed in elaborate denim outfits stand in front of a wall featuring Michigan State University logos and the year "1855." The outfits incorporate various denim textures, patterns, and embellishments.
The winning designs by Jillian Kelly (left) and Zoe Jansen (center), along with the design by runner-up Molly Thompson (right), from the University of New York Fashion Week Competition on display at the Spartan Bookstore.

Jansen highlighted environmental awareness with her design.

“The use of recycled clothing only and no new fabric whatsoever was a conscious decision,” she said. “I am very passionate about environmental awareness in my industry and this project gave me the chance to add something to my portfolio that proves not everything needs to be brand new and wasteful.”

The designs that Jansen and Kelly created, along with the design created by contest runner-up Molly Thompson, were on display in the Spartan Bookstore during December, January, and February.

“I have so many new connections and inspirations to help me as I start this new chapter of my life. I am so excited to enter the industry now.”

Zoe Jansen

Jansen plans to graduate this spring and enter the fashion industry as a designer. She currently is applying for jobs across the country.

“The highlight of my trip was meeting all the amazing people from other schools,” she said. “Everyone was so kind, welcoming, and fun and I made quite a few new friends. I have so many new connections and inspirations to help me as I start this new chapter of my life. I am so excited to enter the industry now.”

Kelly plans to graduate in Spring 2026 and would like to continue working on her small business and possibly find work at a large fashion company or even as an art teacher.

“This opportunity was so insightful. I believe that I learned so much about the fashion industry that I didn’t know before, and that I had never even seen before,” she said. “But at the same time, it wasn’t as overwhelming as I imagined it and that was nice. One of my goals has been kicking off my business and I feel like the trip gave me a push in the right direction.”

A group of people sits in folding chairs inside a vibrant, colorful retail space with walls covered in neon signs, posters, and clothing displays. A speaker stands at the front with a glowing blue "AV" logo behind them
As part of the University of New York Fashion Week experience, students the students visited the California-based fashion brand Aviator Nation.

For nearly a decade, Rebecca Schuiling, Teaching Specialist in MSU’s ATD program, has led the Spartan fashion design competition that often uses MSU-licensed materials. Schuiling also taught the Knitwear class that Kelly created her sweater with the phrase “Wear Your Art On Your Sleeve.”

“I want to thank MSU Licensing again for funding this fantastic opportunity and would like to thank Amber Straatman (Regional Manager at Follett Higher Education Group) and Follett for organizing, coordinating, and providing the garments to upcycle, and for the opportunity to provide the winners and runner up with a great place to show their works,” Schuiling said. “I am so proud of the continued creativity, innovation, and thoughtfulness that our ATD students bring to their study of dress and fashion.”

“I am so proud of the continued creativity, innovation, and thoughtfulness that our ATD students bring to their study of dress and fashion.”

Rebecca Schuiling, ATD Teaching Specialist

The New York Fashion Week trip was sponsored by University Trademarks and Licensing (UTL) at MSU and paid through the royalties generated from licensed products. The trip also is made possible through U of NYFW, a unique academic enrichment program offered by Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), MSU’s exclusive trademark licensing agency, and IMG, the operator of New York Fashion Week.

“Our longstanding collaboration with CLC and their participating university partners aligns with our mission to deliver opportunities for future leaders in the industry and support the development of new perspectives in the ever-evolving fashion business,” said Kim Fasting Berg, Executive Vice President of Marketing at WME Fashion. “As we continue to evolve our programming and experiences, we are proud to help provide this generation of college students the chance to interact and learn from some of the best designers and experts in the world of fashion at NYFW.”

A large group of young people pose together in Times Square, dressed in a mix of casual and sporty attire. Neon billboards and city lights illuminate the background.
The students who were part of the 14th installment of the University of New York Fashion Week. Jillian Kelly and Zoe Jansen are pictured in the center of the back row.

This was the 14th installment of the U of NYFW, in which 30 students from 17 universities participated. Institutions that participated in the collegiate NYFW program included Arizona State University, Auburn University, Howard University, Miami University, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, University of Arizona, University of Missouri, University of Tennessee, University of Texas-Austin, University of South Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech University, and Western Michigan University.

“We are pleased to deliver our U of NYFW program, which can be transformative to the lives and dreams of the student participants,” said Cory Moss, CEO of CLC. “And we are honored to deliver this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity to these talented future leaders in fashion. Innovative experience adds tremendous value to the participating universities beyond our traditional role as their brand licensing partner.”

By Austin Curtis

Categories: Student / Student