Last year, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s first College Fashion Week took place and, due to its enormous success, is happening again this year from April 9th-15th. Champaign may not be the hotspot of fashion, but College Fashion Week (CFW) gives fashion lovers a chance to satisfy their sartorial itch, with Monday through Sunday providing you with a week-long fest of designers, fashion events and two runway shows. CFW is an opportunity for you to celebrate fashion and become immersed in the current trends of the season. With something happening every day of the week, what’s not to love? Read on to get a preview of the highly anticipated College Fashion Week 2012.
College Fashion Week: What’s In Store
Monday, April 9th – Beats Antique
CFW is going to be collaborating with Beats Antique, a national band of eclectic folk electronic music. Formed in 2007, Beats Antique has had success worldwide – with their second album Collide reaching the top 20 most downloaded electronic albums on Amazon – so it is awesome that they are here in Champaign to kick-off the fashion festivities! The event will also feature a costume performance – think cirque de soleil. See their website http://www.beatsantique.com/ for more details, and visit www.canopyclub.com/events/beats-antique to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, April 10th – Student Style Competition
Tuesday is host to a fun style competition. There will be a photographer on campus taking pictures of students from sororities and other student organizations, as well as those simply walking to class. CFW’s executive boards will choose the best pictures taken and post them on the facebook and twitter pages, and the individuals picked will then have one day to get as many likes as they can on their photo. The winner gets a limo ride and VIP entry to the Fashion Night Out, held on Thursday. Advice for Tuesday: be bold and make your picture the winning one!
Wednesday, April 11th – College Fashion Week University
Wednesday hosts a series of workshops, providing advice to those wanting to know more about the fashion industry, and also giving you the chance to have a skype question and answer session with some fashion bloggers, as well as other significant people in the fashion industry such as photographers, writers and potentially some designers. Workshops include helpful how-to’s, like how to get a fashion internship. This is not a night to be missed – you could gain some really useful information that could help with your future career. Bring a pen and paper! Wristbands are $5 in advance, and $7 on the door.
Thursday, April 12th – Fashion Night Out
There will be an event hosted at Red Lion to celebrate nothing other than fashion itself. Get dressed up and mingle with fellow students who are as passionate about the world of fashion as you are. You are encouraged to be audacious with your outfit! To make the night even better there will be a red carpet for your entrance, a step and repeat for pictures, and a photographer on hand to take professional photos of you looking your best. Wristbands are $5 in advance. Thursday night is all about embracing glamour!
Friday, April 13th – Thrifting Bazaar
This is an opportunity for you to update your wardrobe and get rid of some unwanted items, too. Here’s how it works: from 5 – 8pm, bring some clothes with you to donate, and you’ll be given “vouchers” for donating. The price of buying clothes will then be based on vouchers, and you can use yours to purchase new clothes. It will work like a thrift store – look through piles of clothes and see if there are any hidden gems that you would like for your closet. If you have nothing to donate, you can buy vouchers instead! The bazaar will also feature models wearing some of the donated clothes. Tickets are $3 and if you donate more than five items, you will receive free entry. If you feel your closet needs a revamp, then the thrifting bazaar is definitely for you. Friday night also features a Rent The Runway Fashion Show. Rent The Runway gives students the opportunity to rent high fashion clothes at 10% of their retail price – see http://www.renttherunway.com/ for more information.
Saturday, April 14th – Full Line Runway Show
This is the penultimate night of the week, so get ready to experience an awesome live runway event, featuring tons of local designers and designers from Chicago, St. Louis and more! There will be a lot of different clothing shown, inspired by this season’s designs and styles, along with great music and models. For those who haven’t been to a full line runway show before, this is definitely a night to attend – you are getting a taste of what a huge runway show in New York, Paris or Milan could be like. After last year’s success, it is guaranteed to be a night to remember for those watching and those taking part. The show starts at 6pm, with tickets priced at $10 in advance and $15 on the door.
Sunday, April 15th – Trunk Show
Sunday’s Trunk Show is a great way to seal off the week. Taking place from 1-5pm at The Clybourne, the show will feature some local designers and will include items from boutiques situated in Champaign, Chicago, and St. Louis. Designers will have stands set up from which you will be able to purchase some of their items. This is a good way for the designers to get recognition and for you to venture out some more and find new styles that you like. Refreshments will be available throughout the trunk show. Tickets are $3.
Leading up to College Fashion Week
Here’s what else you need to know before the week begins…
1) There are only two weeks left until CFW, so keep an eye out for fundraisers or other events happening before it begins. A fundraiser was held at The Clybourne in February, with $1 dollar drinks and a best-dressed competition, so watch out for another similar event soon! All proceeds go towards the running of College Fashion Week. If you wish to purchase an access-all-events ticket for $20, email collegefashionweek@gmail.com for more information.
2) To keep up to date with all CFW news and any changes to the schedule, follow it on:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CollegeFW2012
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CFWeek
Pinterest: pinterest.com/collegefashwk
3) If you happen to know a designer who would be interested in displaying their stuff at the trunk show, or someone who works in the fashion industry – whether it be as a PA or writer – that would be willing to take part in the skype Q & A session, then CFW wants you to get in touch. The team running the week is always looking for more people to contribute. Get in touch with events@collegefw.com if you know someone who is interested.
4) Watch out for your sorority’s own personalized CFW tee-shirts. The tee-shirts will read “(your house’s letters) <3 CFW” and are a great way to spread the word about CFW, as well as showing your involvement. The house who purchases the most tee-shirts will win a private happy-hour party at The Clybourne to celebrate! Listen for announcements from your house’s CFW Greek Ambassador for more details.
5) Be prepared for an absolute fashion fest – a bigger and better annual UIUC College Fashion Week!