South High School students immerse themselves in textiles, merchandising, and fashion design

Image: Rafael Bertacini

The Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was visited by 19 juniors and seniors from the Fashion Pathway program at South High School in Omaha, who explored the diversity of experiences and opportunities the department offers.

Sandra Starkey, associate professor, and Michael Burton, assistant professor, guided students through the department’s facilities and collections, including the Robert Hillestad Gallery and the Historical Textile Collection. Students were also introduced to the various technologies used by teachers and students, such as Rokoko motion capture suits, Clo3D digital clothing design software, body scanning for avatar creation, and digital surface design for textiles.

In this way, and by attending several classes, such as Textile Laboratory, Garment Assembly, Merchandising III, and Fashion Analysis and Presentation, students gained a direct view of academic life within the department. They observed and participated in these classes, later sharing this part of the experience as one of the trip’s highlights.

The visit was organized in part by South High teacher Sara Policky, who is also a student in the Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design program at Nebraska and who expressed hope that the experience will ignite a sense of possibility in the students.

To schedule an individual or group student visit to the Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, contact Trent Smith, [email protected], or Melissa Bieber, [email protected].