Spring 2026
Greetings from the Program Chair
Dear Fashion Studies Alumni and Friends,
We are pleased to share a look back at a vibrant and productive spring semester — one that took our students from the runways of New York City to the executive suites of Kansas City and culminated in a celebration of the accomplishments of our newest graduating class.
In January, a number of our students traveled to New York City to participate in the annual National Retail Federation Student Program — one of the premier events in the retail industry. The experience immersed them in the retail industry through keynote speakers, a professional career fair, and on-site interviews for summer internship positions. This remarkable opportunity reflects the caliber and ambition of our students.
Closer to home, many of our students and faculty spent a day in Kansas City visiting the headquarters of Essense of Australia, Design Resources, and Rally House — gaining behind-the-scenes insight into how leading companies in bridal, design, and retail operate. We are grateful to our industry partners who support these types of experiences for our students.
And of course, a highlight of our spring calendar is always the annual Showcase of Excellence fashion show, held this year at Manhattan’s stunning Museum of Art and Light. Watching our students bring their work to life on the runway is always a proud moment for our program. We would love to see some of you attend the event next spring.
We closed the semester by celebrating our newest class of Fashion Studies graduates at K-State’s spring commencement ceremonies. It is always hard to say goodbye to our students, but we are also very proud of them and know they will accomplish great things in their professional lives.
The energy of the fashion studies program doesn't stop over the summer. More than 25 students are currently completing internships in design, buying, merchandising, and marketing with firms across the United States, while others are studying or abroad — representing our program around the world.
Thank you for staying connected to Fashion Studies. Your support and engagement mean the world to our students and faculty.
Warmly,
Dr. Kim Hiller
Program Chair
Fashion Studies Kansas State University
Student Experience
Fashion Studies in the Field: Kansas City Industry Visits
This spring, Fashion Studies students took their learning beyond the classroom and into the heart of the Kansas City fashion industry. Through a dynamic day of company visits, juniors and seniors explored the diverse pathways shaping today’s apparel world, from bridal design and retail strategy to product development and sustainable practices. These immersive experiences offered students a firsthand look at how creativity, business, and innovation intersect, while connecting them with industry professionals and successful alumni who are helping define the future of fashion.
On April 23, Fashion Studies juniors and seniors stepped beyond the classroom and into the fashion industry during a day of company visits across the Kansas City metro. From bridal fashion and retail merchandising to workwear and product development, students experienced firsthand how concepts discussed in class translate into real-world careers and business operations.
The day began with a visit to Essense of Australia, where students explored the inner workings of the international bridal industry. Through small-group tours, students gained behind-the-scenes insight into departments including marketing and social media, content creation, design, merchandising, product operations, retail, and warehouse management. The format allowed students to ask thoughtful questions and engage directly with industry professionals while learning about the craftsmanship and storytelling behind bridal fashion.
A special thank you goes to alumna Renee Goodin Elliott and the Essense team for creating such a welcoming and educational experience for students.
Following lunch at Lenexa Public Market, students visited Rally House, a licensed sports retailer headquartered in Lenexa. Alumna Dana Lewis shared insights into the company’s merchandising strategies, growth, and product development decisions. Students learned about trend forecasting, consumer demand, and the fast-paced decision-making involved in buying and merchandising, while gaining a better understanding of how data and product strategy shape retail success.
The final stop of the day was DRI DUCK Traders in Overland Park, where students explored departments including merchandising, sourcing, quality control, licensing, production planning, sales, and sustainability initiatives. CEO David Reid welcomed students personally and shared the company’s story and growth. Students also participated in town hall-style discussions focused on digital marketing, 3D creative applications, compliance, and sustainability within the apparel industry.
For many students, the experience provided a broader perspective on the fashion industry and future career opportunities.
“As a junior Fashion Design major, these company visits helped me realize how much more goes into the apparel industry than just designing clothes,” said Sarah McConwel. “Seeing the behind-the-scenes processes at each company gave me a better understanding of how design, merchandising, sourcing, production, and customer experience all work together to turn ideas into actual products and successful businesses.”
Experiences like these help students connect classroom learning to industry practice while building professional confidence, industry awareness, and valuable connections. The Fashion Studies program is incredibly grateful to its alumni and industry partners who continue to invest in student learning and career development opportunities.
To get involved—either by presenting to our students or hosting a company visit—please reach out. We look forward to building meaningful connections with our industry partners.
Fashion Studies Showcase of Excellence 2026
Celebrating Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation
The 2026 Showcase of Excellence celebrated the creativity, innovation, and dedication of students in the Kansas State University Fashion Studies program through an unforgettable evening of fashion and art. Held on April 11 at The Museum of Art and Light, this year’s showcase transformed the immersive Mezmereyz gallery into a dynamic runway experience, bringing together student work and digital artwork in harmony.
This year’s showcase was inspired by the artwork of Dean Mitchell and Des Lucréce featured in The Erosion of Time: A Digital Compilation of Works. The artistic setting created a unique atmosphere where digital projections and student-designed garments complemented one another throughout the runway experience.
According to showcase director Declan Taylor, the team carefully developed the event’s vision to balance both the artwork and the student creations on display.
“The vision for this year’s showcase was inspired by the art featured in the Mez gallery,” Taylor said. “We wanted to make sure that the audience was able to take in the art on display while still focusing on the student work that was being showcased.”
The runway featured garments designed by students across all levels of the Fashion Studies program, including first-year through senior students, graduate students, and alumni. Collections included formalwear, tailored pieces, sustainable designs, and experimental garments that reflected personal stories, cultural inspiration, and technical craftsmanship.
Planning the showcase required months of collaboration and organization among student teams, faculty, models, caterers, and museum staff. Taylor explained that the experience gave students valuable insight into the realities of the fashion industry.
“For the students on the team this year, I think it gave them a lot of really good experience in managing a large-scale event and being able to work through hiccups that show up while you plan these things out,” Taylor said. “It let them get a feel for the fashion industry while still knowing that they could make a mistake and it would be alright.”
Students involved in the production gained hands-on experience in event coordination, model fittings, garment organization, public relations, and social media management. For many, the most memorable moment came when the show finally began.
“This was very memorable for us, with the biggest moment really being the start of the actual show since it was when our work really paid off,” Taylor said.
Beyond showcasing garments, the event highlighted the depth and quality of work produced within the Fashion Studies program. “I hope that the showcase is able to show people outside of the program what we do and how in-depth we really go,” Taylor said. “Students in both business and design put a lot of incredible work into their classes, and being able to showcase that is really important.”
Faculty Research
K-State Faculty Lead Research Advancing Circular Economy Education in Fashion and Textiles
As the fashion industry shifts toward more sustainable and responsible practices, Kansas State University’s Fashion Studies faculty are helping shape what the future workforce will look like. Through collaborative, federally funded research, faculty are advancing Circular Economy education—equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to rethink how fashion products are designed, produced, and reused. This forward-thinking work not only places K-State at the forefront of sustainability innovation in fashion education but also empowers students to become leaders in an evolving global industry.
As the fashion industry continues to rethink how products are designed, produced, and reused, faculty in Kansas State University’s Fashion Studies program are helping lead the conversation through innovative research focused on sustainability and Circular Economy education.
Melody LeHew and Kim Hiller are part of a multi-university research team working on a federally funded project titled Building Circular Economy Competencies in Fiber, Textiles, and Clothing Curriculum to Enhance Workforce Preparedness. The project is led by Sonali Diddi in collaboration with Colorado State University and Fibershed.
Supported by a $733,382 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Higher Education Challenge Grant Program, the three-year project focuses on preparing the next generation of fashion and textile professionals to thrive in an industry increasingly centered on sustainability, innovation, and circular systems.
The project builds on earlier sustainability research led at K-State by LeHew, whose previous USDA-funded initiative focused on integrating climate change education into fashion and textile curriculum. That earlier work inspired the current project’s broader focus on Circular Economy principles — an approach that emphasizes reducing waste, extending product life cycles, and designing with regeneration in mind.
“Fashion and textile industries are rapidly evolving,” the research team explained. “Students need the skills and systems-thinking mindset to help drive meaningful change within the industry.”
Over the past year, the project has already reached several exciting milestones. In Summer 2025, fourteen fiber, textile, and clothing educators participated in an immersive professional development experience at Fibershed headquarters, where they explored regenerative agriculture, fiber-to-product systems, and land-based learning. Participants also engaged in hands-on natural dye workshops that connected sustainability concepts directly to creative practice.
The team also completed a major literature review identifying 14 key Circular Economy competencies that future industry professionals should possess. These competencies were later validated through feedback from industry experts and scholars and are now guiding the development of new educational modules.
Currently, the research team is developing curriculum materials that will be integrated into fashion and textile courses, with pilot testing scheduled for Fall 2026.
Through this collaborative work, K-State faculty continue to position the Fashion Studies program at the forefront of sustainability education while helping prepare students to become innovative leaders in the future of fashion.
Interested in learning more, connect with our active faculty, Dr. Kim Hiller and Dr. Melody Lehew.
Alumni Spotlight
From K-State to Global Leadership: Alumni Spotlight on Renee Goodin Elliott
From sewing her own prom dresses to leading global HR operations for Essense of Australia, Renee Goodin Elliott has built a career grounded in creativity, leadership, and people development. A 1998 graduate of Kansas State University’s Clothing & Textiles program, Elliott now serves as Chief Human Resources Officer at Essense of Australia, where she has helped grow the company globally since joining in 2013 as its first HR employee. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she continues to support the Fashion Studies program through mentorship, advisory board service, and internship opportunities for students.
In this Q&A, Elliott shares insights on her career journey, the evolving fashion industry, and advice for future professionals.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your journey since graduating from Kansas State University.
I graduated from K-State in 1998 with a degree in Clothing & Textiles, which was the name of the program at the time. My first role was in store management at Talbots, where I discovered that while I loved fashion, I was especially passionate about the people side of the business—recruiting, hiring, and developing teams. That realization led me into HR, where I spent more than 12 years building experience across industries before returning to fashion through an HR leadership role at Essense of Australia. It truly became the perfect combination of my two passions.
Q: What drew you to the fashion industry, and how did K-State help prepare you for your career?
Fashion was always part of my life. I grew up sewing with my mom and grandmothers and even made all of my prom dresses. I was active in 4-H and naturally gravitated toward the clothing projects. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I was selected to participate in a summer Textiles program at K-State, and that experience sealed it.
K-State helped me realize that although I loved design, my strengths were really in business and leadership. Some of my favorite courses were History of Costume, Textiles, and the merchandising, marketing, and business classes. The study tours to Kansas City, Dallas, and Chicago were invaluable, and my summer internship with Von Maur in Chicago gave me my first real taste of the industry in action.
Looking back, K-State didn't just give me a foundation in fashion — it helped me figure out where I actually fit within it.
Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been building the HR function at Essense of Australia from the ground up. When I joined the company, I was the first HR employee. Today, we have a global HR team supporting employees across multiple countries. I’m also incredibly proud of the mentorship opportunities I’ve had — especially seeing former interns grow into leadership roles within the company.
I recently concluded more than 15 years of board service with SHRM of Greater Kansas City and was recognized by the chapter for my contributions. Being part of a professional community that truly shows up for each other has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Q: What skills are most important for students entering the fashion industry today?
Stay curious, open-minded, and willing to step outside your comfort zone. Some of the most valuable career experiences come from opportunities you never planned for. I also encourage students to embrace technology and AI, as these tools are reshaping every part of the industry. Most importantly, learn how to build relationships and communicate well — those skills never go out of style.
Q: How has the fashion industry evolved since you started your career?
The most significant shift is how technology has changed everything — from how a product is designed and manufactured to how it's marketed and sold. When I started my career, fashion advertising meant magazine spreads and print campaigns. But now social media and digital storytelling have become essential parts of the industry.
The way consumers shop has transformed just as dramatically. They are much better informed and more globally connected. For bridal specifically, while that is still largely an in-person purchase, brides arrive at their appointments having researched gowns. They have ideas about what they want to match their personal style, and they're looking for an experience that matches the significance of the purchase. They want to feel like they're working with true experts who understand what this moment means to them.
What's exciting for students is that this evolution has created entirely new career paths that simply didn't exist when I graduated, especially in digital media, content creation, and brand storytelling.
Q: What advice would you give current Fashion Studies students?
Treat internships seriously because they are often the start of your professional reputation. It's where you learn how you work, how you handle feedback, and how you show up when it counts. The impressions you make early follow you.
Also, try to understand areas of the business outside your specialty. The people who grow the most in their careers are often those who can connect creative and business perspectives.
Q: What inspires you to stay involved with the Fashion Studies program?
The program gave me something I've built an entire career on — and I feel a real responsibility to give that back. When I was a student, I benefited enormously from people who opened doors, made introductions, and took the time to share what the real world actually looked like. I want to be that for current students.
In practice, that means serving on the Professional Alumni Advisory Board, recruiting Essense interns from the program, consulting with faculty, and returning to campus to speak with students in classes and small-group settings. I was also honored to be part of the 150th anniversary celebration of fashion and textiles education at K-State — an event that really put into perspective the program's legacy and the community it has built.
The students I meet through this work are creative, motivated, and commercially minded, and they impress me every time. Staying connected to that energy — and to what's coming next in the industry — is genuinely good for me too.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with students and alumni?
Your path doesn't have to be linear. Mine certainly wasn't. I left fashion, spent over a decade in HR across completely different industries, and came back to it — and I'm convinced that detour made me better at the job I am in now. The skills I built outside the fashion industry gave me perspective, depth, and diverse experiences. Don't be afraid to take a turn that doesn't look like the obvious next step.
To current Wildcats — your degree is more versatile than you might realize. The Fashion Studies program builds analytical, creative, and business skills that translate across the industry in ways that will surprise you. Lean into all of it.
Thank you, Renee, for continuing to support and inspire the next generation of Fashion Studies students through your leadership, mentorship, and dedication to the program. Your journey is a powerful reminder that careers in fashion can take many paths, and that creativity, adaptability, and strong relationships remain at the heart of the industry. We are proud to celebrate your accomplishments and grateful for the impact you continue to make within the K-State Fashion Studies community.
Closing Thoughts
As we conclude the Spring 2026 semester, we celebrate the creativity, innovation, and accomplishments of our students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners who continue to shape the future of Fashion Studies at Kansas State University. From research and industry experiences to student showcases and alumni achievements, this semester reflects the strength of our community and the exciting opportunities ahead. Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and dedication to the program. We look forward to another inspiring year ahead.
We are especially grateful to our alumni, advisory board members, donors, and industry partners whose generosity, mentorship, and continued involvement create meaningful opportunities for our students. Your support helps strengthen hands-on learning experiences, industry connections, scholarships, research, and professional development opportunities that prepare students for successful careers in the fashion industry. As we look toward the future, we are excited to continue expanding industry collaborations, experiential learning opportunities, sustainability initiatives, and innovative programming that will further enrich the student experience and strengthen the impact of the Fashion Studies program.
With gratitude,
The Kansas State Fashion Studies Faculty, Staff, and Students
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Interested in joining the College Professional Mentor program?
Are you interested in mentoring our students? The College of Health and Human Sciences provides a Professional Mentor Program for students, pairing them with professionals from industry to gain a more in-depth understanding of the profession or area they seek to work in. If interested in learning more about being a mentor, please visit the mentor website or email the College of Health and Human Sciences Career Development Coordinator.
Do you have a job or internship you want us to share with our students?
If you want to promote an opportunity to our Fashion Studies students for upcoming summer internships or post-graduation jobs, please let us know.