On Thursday, Feb. 13 the Warwick Center was buzzing with more than 200 well-dressed students and faculty members waiting in line to get into the first ever Collegiate Fashion Week Fashion Show at UNC-Wilmington.
YOUniversity Drive’s Collegiate Fashion Week (CFW) put a twist on the traditional fashion week by incorporating business-oriented themes and workshops to help prepare students for the career world. Each day of the week featured a different theme in order to get students “Suited for Success.”
The fashion show took off in the Warwick Center at 8 p.m. on the last day of the CFW events. Vendor tables crowded the hallways leading to the ballroom doors and at the end of the table-train was the registration table. There, students were offered the choice between two tee-shirts, one black and one white that read, “Keep Calm & Get Suited.”
Once students were registered (which just meant signed in) they were escorted inside, after being greeted with free sandwich cards from Chick-fil-A.
Inside, chairs topped with gift bags were paired up on both sides of a long, illuminated runway. And once everyone was quiet, UNCW student and Student Body Vice President, Bret Pinnix, opened up the show.
Laughs, “ohhs” and “ahhs” filled the room when the UNCW models strutted out on stage. The show featured several looks, including: weekend ensembles, business-friendly attire and cocktail dresses.
(Photographer: Tabitha Shiflett)Â
Bret Pinnix said it was one of his most, “memorable experiences yet at UNCW.”
“It was an incredible opportunity—Michelle did an awesome job at accomplishing her vision,” he said.
During the middle of the show Michelle Horton, founder and CEO of YOUniversity Drive, introduced the winners of the Extreme Career Makeover contest. UNCW students Daniel Moss and Zoë Harris took the prize, and received a totally corporate makeover.
(Photographer: Tabitha Shiflett)
“I am so thankful that the UNCW community helped to make this happen,” Horton said. “The biggest part for me is seeing the students being so positively impacted by their peers—we need more universities like UNCW to join in CFW,” she said.
The show ended in applause, music and a lot of cheering along with a little bit of emotion. Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid, Dr. Ixchel Baker-Tate thanked Michelle, each of the donors and the UNCW community for coming together to make her dream become a reality.
According to Horton approximately $94,000 was donated in various ways from the donors!
Sponsors included:  Jos. A. Bank, Banana Republic, David’s Bridal, Costal Urge, Loft, Bijuju, Tickled Pink, Unique Chic, Cape Fear Formal Wear, Eclectic etc., Big Gals Boutiques, The Fairy Circle, Hilton Garden Inn at Wilmington Mayfaire Town Center. Â
The show was presented by PNC Bank.
Donors included: Planet fitness, CKC, Saks Fifth Avenue, Men’s Wearhouse, Jason’s Deli, Chick-fil-A, Barnes and Noble, Mary Kay, Charm Salon, Clothes Mentor and others.
See them all here!