July 20, 2018
Apparel and textiles senior selected to showcase apparel collection at Portland's FashioNXT
Submitted by College of Human Ecology
Mason Burns, senior in apparel and textiles with a specialization in apparel design and production, Lyndon, has been selected to have his apparel collection showcased on the runway at the 2018 FashioNXT Week Oct. 3-6 in Portland, Oregon. The event is internationally known for showcasing what's next in fashion.
Burns' debut collection will pay homage to his country upbringing, focusing on looks he observed in a small town high school. The collection will feature camouflage, work wear and reflect his peer's obsession with Nike. He will showcase these looks using reworked, secondhand clothing and a "destroy-to-create" design mentality.
"This experience is great exposure," Burns said. "It gives me a chance to show my design point of view with upcycling, sustainability, creating quality garments and western/punk combinations. It also gives me the opportunity to further develop my own voice in the fashion industry, serendipitously in Nike's hometown."
"FashioNXT Week shows extraordinary fashion and fashion-tech designers from all over the world," said Tito Chowdhury, CEO of FashioNXT. "We made a rare exception for someone still in college to be on the runway after seeing his advanced vision for fashion-forward streetwear that also incorporates upcycling and sustainability, which is a shared commitment between the K-State program and FashionNXT."
Students in the apparel design program at K-State explore sustainability initiatives such as zero-waste design in their courses.
The opportunity to participate in FashioNXT Week comes from a partnership between FashioNXT and Genna Reeves, assistant professor of apparel and textiles.
"I have been fostering a partnership with FashioNXT that includes internship and professional development opportunities through one of the biggest fashion experience and incubator opportunities in the country," Reeves said. "I took students to Portland on an industry tour in October and Mason was impressed by their show. Now he gets to be part of the show. We have added another level to the partnership, having a student participate on the runway, in an event that has been recognized by Time magazine as No. 1 in the U.S. outside of New York Fashion Week."
Burns aspires to become an entrepreneur and designer by creating a high-end retail business following graduation.
FashioNXT, which hosts the annual FashioNXT Week, is dedicated to showcase fashion and fashion tech designers at various stages of their career. FashioNXT's incubator program mentors emerging talents in design and experience creation leveraging the access to the world-class show it creates. FashioNXT Agency offers customized marketing, consulting and media services in the fashion industry, specializing in event production management, branding consulting and management and creative services.