A Guide to NC State Fashion Week | NC State News

A Guide to NC State Fashion Week | NC State News
A Guide to NC State Fashion Week | NC State News
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A Guide to NC State Fashion Week
For the first time, we’re bringing together all of our signature fashion-centered events for one can’t-miss Fashion Week. Check out the lineup of showcases, talks, runway shows, clothing swaps and more, and find out how you can shape your future in fashion at NC State.
April 15, 2026
Erin Zanders
5-min. read
Think about your favorite outfit: What do you love about it? The pattern woven into the fabric? The cut that’s on-trend but also comfortable? The way all the pieces pair together to feel uniquely you?
Now think about all the people who had a hand in creating it: textile engineers, designers, manufacturers, color chemists, artisans, marketers and more. Fashion is more than glamorous runway shows (though they are an exciting part of it) — it’s an interdisciplinary creative industry.
At NC State, our signature, long-running fashion events have historically united students from a wide range of disciplines around the creation of themed collections. Now, for the first time, the
Wilson College of Textiles
and the
College of Design
are
uniting all of our fashion events into
NC State Fashion Week
, April 19-25
Art2Wear
Fashion. Wearable Art. Textile Design. Sustainability.
We take our work seriously at NC State, because we know it’s never just about the work — it’s about how the work affects and engages others. Whether that’s our coursework, our labwork, our professions or our passion projects, we Think and Do collaboratively, for the greater good.
Fashion is no exception. Many Fashion Week events are student-led and highly collaborative. Together, students explore the bounds of design and push each other creatively,
while honing the skills and perspectives that will shape the future of the fashion industry
To that end, you’ll find an emphasis on sustainability and inclusive design throughout the week’s events. Student designers often incorporate no-waste pattern-making techniques, found and thrifted materials, or designs that allow fashion and self-expression to be accessible to all body types and backgrounds.
AATS Fashion Exposé
Emerging Designers Runway Show (Photo by Amanda Law Photography)
Emerging Designers Textile Showcase (Photo by Amanda Law Photography)
Take a look at all that Fashion Week has to offer — clothing swaps, designer talks, showcases, recycling events and more.
Then, join us as we celebrate the creativity, skill and collaboration that go into making everything from thought-provoking wearable art pieces to your favorite, softest hoodie. The results, if we may say so, are nothing short of dazzling.
Related
NC State Spirit and Traditions
We’re a university with more than a century of history, and strong spirit to match. If you want to be part of something extraordinary, we’re ready to pass the torch.
See what it means to be part of the
Wolfpack
Signature Fashion Week Events
Students in the fashion and textile design program prepare their collections for the Emerging Designers Textile Showcase and Runway Show.
Emerging Designers Textile Showcase and Runway Show
Emerging Designers Textile Showcase
Wilson College of Textiles Convocation Center, Room 2225
Opening celebration:
April 19, 3-5 p.m.
Self-guided tour:
April 20-22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Walkthrough with designers:
April 22, 3-5 p.m.
Plan your visit
Take in the capstone collections of seniors in the Wilson College of Textiles’ fashion and textile design program and experience the creativity and technical mastery of these up-and-coming designers. The B.S. in fashion and textile design combines creativity and science, giving students an understanding of fiber and fabric performance to enhance their designs.
The
Emerging Designers Textile Showcase
concludes a semester-long project in which students explore, experiment and refine their ideas to create
collections that span home textiles, apparel, fiber art and more
. You have several opportunities to visit and view the collections, including a chance to walk through them with the designers.
Emerging Designers Runway Show
Talley Student Union, Piedmont/Mountains Ballroom
April 25, 7-9 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Reserve your seat
On the fashion design side, students complete their final capstone project by designing a fashion collection and sending it down the runway.
This year’s
Emerging Designers Runway Show
highlights the transformation of concept into craftsmanship. Graduating designers explore form, function and identity through their collections.
Expect to see everything from ready-to-wear to avant garde fashions
. The work reflects both the students’ individual visions and their technical mastery shaped in the studios and labs of the Wilson College of Textiles.
Related
Discover Our Majors: Fashion and Textile Design
In the fashion and textile design program at the Wilson College of Textiles, Neely Mallik is unlocking her talents as a creator and building a portfolio of experiences to prepare herself for career success.
Meet
Neely
AATS Fashion Exposé
African American Textile Society Fashion Exposé
AATS Fashion Exposé
Talley Student Union ballroom
April 20, 6-8 p.m.
Purchase tickets online
NC State’s
longest-running fashion show
is hosted by the student-led
African American Textile Society
in the Wilson College of Textiles.
Student designers from any major and from other universities in the Triangle are invited to
showcase their handmade creations in this annual runway-style competition
. The theme of this year’s exposé is “Culture and Heritage.”
Art2Wear 2025
Art2Wear: Symbiosis
Art2Wear: Symbiosis
Gregg Museum of Art + Design
April 24, 7-9 p.m.
April 25, 4-6 p.m.
April 25, 7-9 p.m.
Meet this year’s designers
Art2Wear
is an annual, student-led wearable art production of the College of Design. With an emphasis on storytelling, the student collections all center around a theme — this year it’s “Symbiosis”, focused on interactions that can range from mutually beneficial to more parasitic.
Students from a variety of majors work together on the planning and execution of Art2Wear, and the design of collections and accompanying digital media.
The show blurs the boundaries of fashion and wearable art
and allows students to design pieces that connect with emotions, nature or the environment around them.
This year’s event
takes place surrounded by art in the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.
Other Fashion Week Events
April 21 | Open Studio for Art2Wear
See the students’
design processes in action
April 21 | Screening and Artist Talk
Join Wilson College of Textiles faculty member Kate Nartker for an
artist talk and screening
of her animated short film,
Whose Woods Are These
, which showcases her weavings.
April 21 | How I Built a Fashion Career Using Social Media
Textiles alumna Kiana Bonollo, winner of a Distinguished Young Alumni Award, will
give a talk
about her career journey in fashion.
April 22 | TEXcycle
Recycle your textiles
— clothing, shoes and accessories that can’t be reworn or reused — at this Earth Day event.
April 22 | Clothing Swap
The Greater Good Textile Group invites you to bring unwanted clothing in good condition to
swap item-for-item
, or purchase items for $1 each.
April 23 | Century of Designers: From Worth to the World
pop-up museum
will highlight sophomore designers’ work, showing how historical influences are given a fresh, modern perspective.
There’s a lot to take in during Fashion Week, and attending an event is just the beginning. There are more ways to get involved, regardless of your major.
Events like the AATS Fashion Exposé and Art2Wear are open to students across campus. Students also help out behind the scenes throughout the week in event planning, modeling, backstage support, ushering and more.
Student participants in Art2Wear 2025 gather before the show begins.
However you get involved,
you’ll catch a glimpse of student creativity and connect with our passionate campus fashion community
As you’ll see, NC State is a fashion and textiles school and, whenever the Wolfpack comes together, we create something special.
Related
Study Design
At the College of Design, we blend rigorous study and creative freedom. Our immersive coursework and world-class faculty give you real-world experience and shape your understanding of design.
Explore design
majors
Related
Study Textiles
Whether you’re interested in chemistry, design, engineering, marketing, management, manufacturing or product development, we offer a specialized, applied education with unmatched career opportunities.
Explore textiles
majors
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Art2Wear
college of design
fashion week
Wilson College of Textiles
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