About A2W

Art to Wear began as a project in my Fibers Studio (ADN470) in Spring, 2002. Quickly and unexpectedly it took on a life and momentum of its own. The students loved the concept of showing their work in a runway show with a real audience. As a result, they have worked hard to make it an annual event. Art to Wear has continued to grow and develop as each year we try new things, get new people on the team,
make mistakes, evaluate what worked and what didn’t, and think of things to improve.

Most important, we are passionate, have fun, and learn a whole lot. This annual show has grown into a community-wide event with amazing pedagogical value. Every participant — director, committee heads, student designers, and every volunteer — develops and matures.

From it’s inception, our organization has been organic, changing each year to respond to the evolution of the event. The next year’s directors are often chosen at the wrap-up meeting following each spring show. The ones who volunteer for this arduous task (or are cajoled into it) are special students. They realize that if they don’t take the helm, the show won’t go on … and they graciously accept the task. If there were no students willing to organize the hundreds of details and to contribute literally thousands of hours of time, there would be no show. In fact, the director and committee heads are often students who have been designers one year and gain so much from the experience that they volunteer to be organizers
in following years.

Designers must be students at either the College of Design or the College of Textiles, but we invite anyone in the University to assist with the organization. Everyone is welcome to join a committee … there is always work to be done! In 2003 it became clear that the designers had to pitch in and help with committee work, as well as set up and clean up. Since 2005 each designer has been required to participate with fund raising. What follows is only a brief history of the development of Art to Wear. It is impossible to list all of the NC State students, faculty and staff who have assisted over the years; however, most were included in the yearly programs. After the first year, Marvin Malecha, Dean of the College of Design, and Blanton Godfrey, Dean of the College of Textiles, generously supported the show. I want to thank everyone who has made a contribution to this remarkable interdisciplinary event.

Vita Plume
Associate Professor
Department of Art + Design
College of Design
Art to Wear Faculty Advisor (2002–2007 & 2009–2012)