Fashion learning in London takes
the runway in Kalamazoo

As a requirement of the thesis project required of her by WMU’s Lee Honors College, Nay coordinated and hosted a charity fashion show on June 27 that introduced the Kalamazoo community to design work she created while studying at WMU and in London.

Fashion show photo gallery

“I decided to put on a fashion show featuring the collections I made while studying at Western,” Nay said. “I donated the proceeds to the Project Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association.”

 

Liza Nay (l) with her sister in London

Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association, also known as MODA, is a student organization at WMU that provides students an opportunity to gain experience in the fashion industry outside the classroom. Project MODA is a mentoring program set up as an affiliate of MODA for high school students in the Kalamazoo area.

Nay has been an active member of MODA since her freshman year in 2005 and has created eight collections that consist of swim and resort wear to full-length evening gowns.

“I came to Western with no experience in fashion and I had never taken a sewing class in my life,” she said. “I caught on fairly quickly and ended up loving it,”

Participating in MODA wasn’t the only beneficial experience Nay had while studying at WMU.  During the 2007 spring semester Nay participated in a study abroad program at the American Intercontinental University in London, which was coordinated through WMU’s Haenicke Institution for Global Education.
    
“I would recommend studying abroad to everyone because it is much more than traveling,” said Nay “I have increased my global awareness, it was a great networking experience, and I got to take trips to Rome and Paris to compare and contrast fashion trends, which opened up my perspective on things.”

AIU is located in the center of London and is surrounded by the fashion industry, allowing students to receive a hands-on experience not available in Kalamazoo.

“I was able to relate what I learned in textbooks at Western to real life situations in London,” said Nay “In fact, some of the textbooks I studied at WMU were used as reference books at my internship, which was helpful.”

While in London, Nay interned with fashion designer Alice Temperley, of Temperley London, which is a line featured in more than 220 boutiques and department stores across 35 countries, along with stand- alone stores in London, New York, Los Angeles and Dubai.

“Through AIU I was able to apply for internships with some of the best designers,” said Nay “I literally stepped off the plane, took my bags to the flat and was on my way to interview for internships--it was amazing.”
    
Long term, Nay would like to own a small boutique selling her designs.  She will be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in the fall to complete her bachelor’s degree in textile and apparel studies.  Nay is also working on a minor in business and art.

“Western has offered me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the fashion industry,” said Nay “I would not have been able to put on a charity fashion show if it weren’t for the opportunities I have had at WMU.”

Fashion show photo gallery

Story by Sarah Clawson