Junior Mackenna Scripps models a dress from Stanley Korshak at the SMU Fashion Week fashion show. (Taylor Martin/The Daily Campus)

SMU is known as one of the most stylish campuses in the country, and there are so many ways for the sartorial-minded to get involved.

Many students express their creativity and passion for the industry through fashion-related organizations and opportunities.

Retail Club

Retail Club is the only fashion-focused student organization at SMU.

The meetings are held once a month, and feature speakers from every aspect of Dallas’ fashion industry – including the Neiman Marcus public relations team, shoe designer Angela Scott, local bloggers and more.

Also, Retail Club hosts parties at various boutiques close to campus (that occasionally offer discounts for members during events).

“Retail Club is so great because of the opportunities that come from listening to guest speakers and getting involved with the club’s activities,” Elyse Marriott, president of the club, said.

“There is always a window of opportunity to network and further your involvement off campus.”

To find out more information about joining the club, email [email protected].

Fashion Week

Retail Club helps plan SMU Fashion Week, which hosted its inaugural event in April 2012.

The week week-long event features lectures from prominent fashion industry experts. Last year, the panels were around blogging and journalism, public relations, design and entrepreneurship.

The week culminates with a full-blown fashion show, with student models and clothing picked straight from retailers.

“SMU Fashion Week brings fashion industry professionals of all kinds to campus to educate and inspire students who are interested in working in fashion,” Rebecca Marin, public relations chair, said.

“Filled with seminars and networking soirees, the week invites SMU to an insider’s look into the growing industry in Dallas.”
An event of this size obviously needs several volunteers, so email [email protected] if interested.

Fashion Minor

Last year SMU also introduced the new fashion media minor. Spearheaded by the journalism division, the fash=ion media minor is a one-of-a-kind learning experience to equip students with the necessary skills to succeed in the fashion industry.

Classes offered include fashion journalism, fashion public relations, fashion photography and the history of fashion.

The school is considering expanding it into a major.

“According to our research, there is only one other university in the country that offers a major in this area, so we would really be breaking new ground,” Camille Kraeplin, director of the fashion media minor, said.

“We started working on a proposed fashion media major this summer. If the proposal is approved, we hope the major will be in place by next fall.

Email Kraeplin at [email protected] to join the Fashion Media list serve.

SMU Style

SMUStyle.com is a Dallas-based fashion blog launched in 2008 by SMU alumnae Sarah Bray and Christina Geyer.

“SMUStyle is the perfect place to go to find the latest trends, parties, store openings and even take an inside look at some closets around campus,” Meg Jones, former SMUStyle campus editor, said.

The blog is always looking for fresh bloggers to contribute, so if you love writing and reporting on fashion, email [email protected].