Fashion ventures come at a cost

Fabric quality can make the difference between an ill-fitting suit and a couture gown.

Imagine how silk imported from India feels on your skin, floats on your body and shimmers in the light. Now imagine the whopping price tag that comes with it.

Because of the high cost of quality fabrics, textiles and apparel seniors at UT spent $1,000 on average per person this semester creating a bridal or evening gown and a collection of three garments, and the final piece is due today. For the aspiring designers, it is a small investment, because their grades, degrees and future careers depend on the caliber of these pieces.  

“It was worth spending the money on quality fabrics,” said textiles and apparel senior Amelia Hausser. “This collection will be the basis of my portfolio and hopefully will get me a job.”

The program also hosts an end-of-the-year fashion show. Last year’s brought in 5,000 people.

Eve Nicols, a senior lecturer in the program, said the students aim to make a professional production that appropriately presents the design work. But the production can be a financial strain, she said.

To help curb the costs, The University Co-op has donated an undisclosed amount to the program each year since 2001. While the majority of the money is used for the show, each of the seniors receives a scholarship to buy fabric.

George Mitchell, the president and chief executive of the Co-op, said it donates millions of dollars each year to various organizations and that he enjoys fostering the creativity of students. He said the more time students can dedicate to their work, the better off they are.

Before the Co-op helped financially support the program, the students had to raise money for the fashion show. Nicols said she remembers how difficult it was for the students to raise funds, commit time to designing and be able to afford quality fabric.

“They spend so much time cutting the patterns and working on the design construction ... that if they are unable to spend the right amount of money to get the appropriate fabric, it really weakens their look academically,” she said.

Even with the fabric awards, the students have to pay for the bulk of their supplies. The cost of textiles ranges drastically depending on the material.

A 4 ply silk crepe can cost up to $40 per yard, and an intricate dress could take multiple yards to create. A synthetic could substitute for $10 a yard, but the difference would be noticeable.

In addition to textiles, the garments require buttons, zippers, thread and several other details. Some students have jobs and apply for other scholarships that support their costly major.

Others, like textiles and apparel senior Megan Tovar, receive funding from a more familiar source. Tovar said her parents were able to pay for her expenses, which amounted to around $1,200 for her entire collection.

In an industry all about aesthetics, the budding designers cannot scrimp on quality. 

“I get inspiration from the fabric,” said Jason Hamilton, a textile and apparel senior.  “I didn’t want to be inspired by the fabric and it be too expensive and not get it. It is an expensive [major] to go into to … but it is well worth it.”
 

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