Salt Lake Community College’s fashion program started out as two or three classes with about six students in it.
Six years ago, SLCC acquired the Library Square Campus. The Fashion Institute has since used that space to grow to a roster of around 200 students, and it now offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising and Technical Apparel Design.
According to Fashion Program Coordinator Mojdeh Sakaki, 90 percent of the students who complete the Fashion Institute program become entrepreneurs.
“SLCC helped me gain experience and confidence in my skills and knowledge needed to open [my] shop,” says graduate Teresa Spas.
Spas is the owner of Tissu Fine Fabrics and Design Gallery.
“I chose SLCC for my education because it was closest to my home,” says Spas. “I was very impressed with the breadth of the program and then made arrangements to start classes.”
Many movies, theater and production companies come to Utah to create their art, and this creates an industry need for fashion designers, costume makers, and seamstresses. The Fashion Institute trains students to fill that need.
“Sometimes I just don’t know how the students fill all the jobs that people are looking to supply their needs in the industry,” said Sakaki.
Sakaki says that the program is not just for fashion students. They also have elective classes for any SLCC student. Elective classes include “Millinery,” which is hat making.
“We have the only college level millinery class in the country. The students get to create different styles of hats,” says Sakaki.
—Tuesday, April 17—
—7:00 p.m.—
- Raw Couture SLCC Student Fashion Show
Rose Wagner Theater, Salt Lake City — ticketed event through ArtTix, student tickets available
—Friday, April 20—
(all activities this day are free of charge)
—3:00 through 3:30 p.m.—
- Campus tours
- Historic Fashion Collection Exhibit
- La Belle Epoque, The Last Years – Gallery Room
- 20th Century Silhouettes – Fashion Collection Room
—3:30 through 5:00 p.m.—
- Design Workshops
Participate in fun workshops designed to boost your creativity and knowledge of fashion
—5:00 through 6:30 p.m.—
- Q&A Panel from the Fashion Industry
Learn inside information about fashion design/merchandising, ask questions and make connections
—6:30 through 7:00 p.m.—
- Reception Honoring Project Catwalk finalists
People’s Choice Award Judging for SLCC Fashion Club Competition, Apocalypse After Five
—7:00 through 8:30 p.m.—
- Project Catwalk
Fashion show, judging and awards ceremony
Fashion Week
In an effort to help students get the training and qualifications needed for positions of responsibility in the fashion industry, SLCC Fashion Institute and the Fashion Club hold several activities every year including Fashion Week which runs this year from April 16 through April 20.
Students who are graduating from the Fashion Institute participate in Raw Couture Fashion Show during Fashion Week. This year’s Raw Couture is Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at the Rose Wagner Theater.
Students create a collection of five to seven pieces; they design the concept, illustrate the clothing designs and create them. Tickets for Raw Couture are available at ArtTix.
On Friday, April 20, 2012 as part of Fashion Week the Fashion Institute is offering campus tours, design workshops, Project Catwalk and Q&A sessions with industry professionals. For more information about the fashion Institute visit www.slcc.edu/fashion
