Fashion has the ability to transform wearers, filling them with confidence and celebrating their personality. A recent classroom project that paired CCAD student stylists with clients from the women empowerment nonprofit Dress for Success Columbus did just that—and so much more.
Dress for Success and CCAD create a fitting collaboration
Fashion Design students in Columbus College of Art & Design’s Professional Practice course were tasked with a multipart small-group project in support of Dress for Success, which empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and career development tools to help women thrive in work and life. The students were matched with Dress for Success clients who they interviewed to learn about their personal style and preferences. They complimented that learning with trends research to inform the looks they created for clients using clothing, shoes, and accessories available at the Dress for Success boutique. In addition, the students examined ways to improve the customer experience at Dress for Success to make it feel more like a traditional retail boutique, as well as increase the organization’s sustainability. Finally, they presented their findings in an uplifting and emotional gathering with representatives from both Dress for Success and CCAD.
In a typical year, Dress for Success Columbus serves about 1,500 to 2,000 clients whose ages range from 14 to 80, says Executive Director Habiba Bankston. Many are referred to Dress for Success via a social service agency. It’s not uncommon for clients to be in crisis after being incarcerated, unhoused, or involved in a domestic violence situation, she says. Additionally, clients can also self-refer, and may be students entering the workforce or simply women seeking support for a career change. The clothing and accessories in Dress for Success’ boutique come via individual donations, or from large retailers (many of which are Columbus-based) such as Torrid, Lane Bryant, Victoria’s Secret, and Stella & Dot.
Fashion is a fast-paced industry, and styling is one aspect of the industry that students are not necessarily exposed to. This project provided students with hands-on experience working directly with diverse clients, and helped students develop ‘power skills’ like time management, adaptability, problem solving and collaboration," says Assistant Professor of Fashion Design Audrey Nicolas.
“It was amazing to watch the students go through the process from beginning to end. I enjoyed seeing how they connected with some of our clients and how they were really able to listen to their likes, to their dislikes, and what their style was” says Habiba Bankston, executive director of Dress for Success Columbus. The clients, she says, “loved the experience. They loved what the students were able to pull together. It was amazing, and I can't wait for the next opportunity for us to do this again.”
Fashion designers style a “deliciously dramatic” look
Among the three groups of students who participated in the collaboration, one struck a particularly tight bond: Alex Baum (Fashion Design, 2027), Amy Magnus (Fashion Design, 2026), and client Francesca Schumann. When it came to the project, “we were all in and Francesca was all in,” says Magnus. They learned what she liked—drama, Stevie Nicks-style layers—and what she didn’t (blue). They landed on a bold approach to Schumann’s style that incorporates jewel tones and a retro, mid-century flair. “We wanted something deliciously dramatic. Something that was business-appropriate but also made a statement. That said, ‘I’m stepping out and I have something to say,’ ” says Magnus.
Baum says he had some trepidation going into the assignment, but that feeling faded. “I was always nervous about this,” he says. “Styling was never something that I thought that I would really be doing. I've always been more focused on the design aspect of fashion. But the styling portion was really fun. I think I really enjoy being able to communicate and connect with people, and I think we were able to do that very successfully. I really love collaborating and I think Amy and I work well together.”
I'm just in absolute awe of how they captured me, how they captured my essence and my spirit,” says Dress for Success client Francesca Schumann.
Schumann, who is an activist and educator, says she is in awe of what the CCAD team pulled together. She is HIV-positive and has often been the first trans person to occupy a particular space, she says. “To see CCAD and Dress for Success be so inclusive of people like me … I want you to know how grateful I am. I don’t take it for granted.”
STUDENTS GAIN JOBS SKILLS VIA WORKING WITH CLIENTS
Projects such as the Fashion Design-Dress for Success partnership, which was supported by CCAD’s Creative Careers & Collaboration department, help students gain a broader understanding of their industry and help grow and diversify their skillset—enabling them to pursue a variety of career paths within the fashion industry. In addition, working with clients in a team setting helps students develop and grow their interpersonal and professional communication skills, grow their confidence, and grow their professional network.
Bankston, who worked in corporate retail earlier in her career, says the CCAD-Dress for Success partnership highlights a potential career path for Fashion Design students. “If you are somebody interested in the fashion space, coming to Dress for Success is another great opportunity for you to learn, for you to spread your wings, for you to understand what it means to work with people, to serve people. It's another way to understand the transformative power of fashion,” she says. As an organization, Dress for Success Columbus has “really started to pay attention to and intentionally talk about our space in the fashion industry and how we can truly be an extension of the classroom and an educational opportunity for those who really want to get into retail, get into fashion,” she says.
And Nicolas says it is particularly important to her that partner organizations such as Dress for Success have values in common with CCAD. “I really try to choose projects that cultivate a sense of social responsibility, where students develop a deeper understanding of how businesses can serve society, and how they can make a positive impact in the community. Students discovered a greater sense of personal fulfillment when contributing to someone’s success, and to the Dress for Success mission,” she says.
Learn more about CCAD’s Fashion Design program or apply here.
Is your organization interested in partnering with CCAD? Learn more about CCAD’s Creative Careers & Collaboration department here.
Header image: The Fashion Design students created sketches for the Dress for Success clients using their research about the clients’ personal style and preferences, as well as fashion trends.
