Texas Tech Students Awarded Fashion Design Scholarships

Apparel Design Students Claim Top Categories in Scholarship Competition

On Friday, April 12, students in the Department of Design competed in the Fashion Group International (FGI) of Dallas Scholarship Competition. The FGI Scholarship Competition provides college students an opportunity to demonstrate their talents in design, construction, fiber usage, and trend research. Many Apparel Design and Manufacturing (ADM) majors were selected as scholarship recipients for their designs.

Garments on Mannequins:

• Dalena Do
• Katherine Mamwacha
• Charla Nicholson

Garments on Runway:

• Alex McMayon
• Tatum Roach (2)
• Sage Schoenfeld
• Gabriella Montelongo
• Flita Fernandes
• Victoria Schelburne
• Cameron Prescott

Women's Sportswear Award:

• 2nd Place- Victoria Schelburne ($1,000 scholarship)
• 1st Place- Sage Schoenfeld ($2,500 scholarship)

Bridal/Evening Gown Award:

• 3rd Place- Gabriella Montelongo ($500 scholarship)
• 2nd Place- Cameron Prescott ($1,000 scholarship)

Director's Choice Award:

• 1st Place- Tatum Roach ($10,000 scholarship)

"The Fashion Group International Competition is an important creative challenge for Apparel Design students," Department Chairperson, Sharran Parkinson, Ph.D., said. "Having so many students recognized at an international runway exhibition is a tremendous accomplishment."

Dr. Parkinson described the outcome as a reflection of the hard work and countless hours that students spend drawing, constructing, and revising their garment designs throughout the semester.

"The Apparel Design and Manufacturing program curriculum is inherently experiential," Dr. Parkinson said. "Hands-on learning is a major component of studio courses, and students reflect upon and revise their work through critiques and portfolio reviews."

Assistant Professor Ashley Rougeaux-Burnes, M.F.A., says the department encourages its students to elevate their designs to the quality expected at competitions like FGI.

"The quality of garments accepted has risen each year and continues to be very competitive," Ashley said. "We want the students striving to constantly improve their skills and edit their designs until they are the most impactful and marketable possible."

Ashley said the department has begun taking first-year students to the show so that they can see the design and construction quality necessary to be accepted or awarded a scholarship. Competitions like the FGI Scholarship Competition is a great opportunity for fashion design students at Texas Tech to gain industry exposure and connect with future employers.

"Multiple internships are awarded to students who perform well in the competition," Ashley said. "These internships are highly sought after and teach students a variety of skills from the business of fashion to couture sewing techniques."

Apparel Design and Manufacturing senior, Tatum Roach, had a design selected as the Director's Choice. For her selection, Tatum was awarded a $10,000 scholarship.

"I felt very humbled, proud, and honestly shocked that I was chosen for such a large award," Tatum said. "The FGI competition gives us great experience for practically everything in the industry. It pushes us creatively to give our best."

Junior ADM major Cameron Prescott wants to create her own design label after graduation. Cameron said that the apparel design classes at Texas Tech allow her to better understand her craft, thanks to the large portion of hands-on projects in ADM.

Cameron's denim evening dress was awarded 2nd place in the Bridal/Evening Gown category and received a $1,000 scholarship for her design.

"My design was a denim evening dress that was hand bleached to create the acid wash look," Cameron said. "The idea was inspired from Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's iconic denim look at the 2001 American Music Awards. I wanted to make something different and something that not a lot of people have seen before."

Apparel Design and Manufacturing student Saige Schoenfeld was awarded first place and a $2,500 scholarship in the Women's Sportswear category.

"My ideas for my designs come from my interest in streetwear as well as outfits that can serve multifunctional uses," Saige said. "I love the idea of garments that can take someone through the day no matter what they're doing."

Saige's goal is to work in the fashion industry as a designer focused on streetwear, or with a well-known company like Nike or Adidas.

"It was the best feeling knowing that all of the hard work put into the garment had paid off," Saige said. "I feel like doing hands-on projects in our classes gives us a better idea of what to expect after we graduate, and allows us to figure out who we want to be as a designer."