Jill Barbetta and Bonnie Campbell, seniors in the LSU College of Agriculture’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, work on their garments for the Fashion Association at LSU’s fashion show scheduled for May 13 at 7 p.m. in the LSU Union Cotillion Ballroom. (Photo by Tobie Blanchard)

Eric Prestley, a senior in the LSU College of Agriculture’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, prepares for the Fashion Association at LSU’s ninth annual fashion show. Prestley works on a garment in the department’s new sewing lab. (Photo by Tobie Blanchard)

Kristin Ament, a senior in the LSU College of Agriculture’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, fits a dress on dress on a dress form in the department’s new sewing lab. The fabric for the dress was created using digital printing. Ament’s dress will be in the Fashion Association at LSU’s ninth annual fashion show on May 13. (Photo by Tobie Blanchard)

News Release Distributed 04/28/15

BATON ROUGE, La. – Before the first garment will walk the runway, students in the Fashion Association at LSU will have worked all semester to prepare for their annual fashion show.

On May 13, the association will hosts its ninth annual show at the LSU Student Union Royal Cotillion Ballroom. The VIP cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open for general admission at 6:40 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m.

Jill Barbetta, a senior from Metairie in the LSU College of Agriculture’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, is president of the Fashion Association at LSU. She said the theme for this year’s show is luminous, and it will highlight student garments and collections that students have created for classes and their portfolios.

“I see it as a reward for all the hard work we’ve done through the year,” Barbetta said.

While students have been putting on the show for eight years, this is the first time it will be on campus. Bonnie Campbell, senior from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and fashion show chair, said having it on campus makes the show more accessible to the LSU community.

“We hope to have more students there,” she said. “LSU’s ballroom can fit more people, and site lines are better than the previous venue.”

Also new this year are a higher and longer runway and a cocktail hour that will include a live band, hors d’oeurves and a video, Campbell said. “We’ve added a lot of little charms this year, and we did a lot of DIY decorations to make it special.”

Committees included hair and makeup, sponsorships, décor, model casting and backstage.

Kristin Ament, a senior from Prairieville, is in charge of public relations for the Fashion Association at LSU. She said the club offers opportunities for students in apparel design or merchandising.

“We host workshops and help with portfolios, networking, internships and jobs,” Ament said.

The association has helped students determine if they are cut out for the fashion industry. “It helps test if you are in the right spot, if this is where you are supposed to be,” Campbell said.

The show is a culmination of class projects and garments students hope will propel them into careers.

“This allows students to put their name out there and find closure for ending the semester. It’s a good segue way into a career,” Ament said.

Ament plans to move to Manhattan after graduation and find a job in fashion. Campbell already has her own line of clothing, The Scar Collection, and Barbetta has an online Etsy shop, Barbetta Babies.

The three students participated in last year’s show and said it is always wonderful to see their own creation on the runway.

“When you see your garment walk on a live human, there is a sense of self-achievement,” Campbell said.

Tickets for the show are available on Eventbrite at this link: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fashion-association-at-lsu-presents-luminous-tickets-16255346178?aff=es2