I co-teach the senior capstone class Concept to Consumer at Columbia College Chicago's School of Fashion with Allison Champion Leahy, and for the 2024-25 school year, I brought in my long-time industry friend Daryl Sneed, Founder & Creative Director of SOUNDOFF as our brand partner, who in turn was already collaborating with the Chicago Sky WNBA and their CMO Tania Haladner for customized team apparel and accessories. Together, with our 51 students majoring in Product Development and Fashion Merchandising, we embarked on an incredible journey...
Students researched heavily both brands, to gain an understanding the demographics and trends that would attract fans of the Sky and reach them in a new way. They worked through the prototyping process including drafting patterns, conducted several model fittings, created tech packs, planned and executed a professional photoshoot, created a marketing campaign and pop up shop plan, and curated a window display for the Michigan Avenue campus location (check it out through June 3rd at 618 S Michigan).
This is my 5th year working with Allison at Columbia and we've had some great partnerships, some have resulted in real product moving forward, but not to this scale and speed. It is so exciting for all of us to see the students' designs translated into real products sold by SOUNDOFF, which are debuting tonight at the Chicago Sky Opening Night game! Many of our students are attending the game tonight, and what a great way to cap of their college experience and celebrate this major accomplishment along with graduation.
This morning, I joined Daryl and six *grads* at ABC 7 Chicago, putting on a mini fashion show for host Val Warner. On Air: Nat Sass, Tiara Burton, Taryn Callion, Katherine Gibson, Jair Reyes, Allison Bell. You all rocked it! So glad I woke up at 4am for this! 😅
Congratulations, I am SO proud of everyone. I'm humbled and happy that I could play a part in connecting, mentoring, troubleshooting, and cheerleading along the journey as it unfolded.
📺🎥🏙️🏀
Check out the story video here.
