Michigan State University Apparel and Textile Design (ATD) students Fernando Caccia and Evelyn Short attended New York Fashion Week, one of the most prestigious fashion events in the world, as winners of the MSU Trademarks and Licensing ATD BFA Fashion Week Award.
Their trip, which included entry into select runway shows as well as panel discussions and networking opportunities with industry leaders, was funded by the MSU Trademarks and Licensing Office using royalties generated from licensed products.
ATD faculty selected Caccia and Short to receive this award, which was first presented in 2024 and annually sends ATD students to New York Fashion Week (NYFW) where they gain valuable insight from industry experts. The MSU Trademarks and Licensing ATD BFA Fashion Week Award is an expansion of a nearly decade-long initiative led by Rebecca Schuiling, Teaching Specialist in MSU’s ATD program, to support Spartan designers’ experiences at NYFW.
Caccia and Short traveled to New York City Sept. 11-14. Their trip was led through University of New York Fashion Week (UofNYFW), an academic enrichment program offered by Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) in partnership with IMG, the official organizer of New York Fashion Week: The Shows.
Caccia and Short shared their NYFW experience in the following Q&A:
What was your reaction when you learned you were going to New York Fashion Week?
Caccia: I was absolutely ecstatic. I heard at the beginning of summer from my professor, Rebecca Schuiling, about the opportunity to attend through CLC. I thought it would be a super amazing opportunity to go and meet people who are in my same field and help further my own career.
Short: It was really exciting. I feel like anyone going into fashion, that’s immediately the goal, to end up at New York Fashion Week. Being chosen by my professor, Rebecca, meant a lot. I put a lot of energy into my schoolwork. I like to produce work. I like to build my portfolio, and my long-term goal is to work in fashion, so it was cool to see that recognized by faculty.
How would you describe your overall NYFW experience?
Caccia: The trip overall was incredible, and the planning by the program staff was amazing. We got to New York, had a reception dinner, and stayed at the Frederick Hotel in Tribeca.
We went to Amazon headquarters and spoke with the Elevated Shopping Director, Santosh Gunaseelan. He gave us a talk about how AI is being used for styling and generative tools. Later, we went to WME Fashion and got to see the business side of things. We also went to Iconoclast, a creative agency. We heard from professionals there and got to take professional photos with a photographer who goes by Trash, or Trashhand. He’s photographed people like Travis Scott.
There was also a Kim Shui fashion show on the top floor of One World Trade Center. It was cool — 120 stories up, with a fantastic view of New York City. Seeing a collection put together like that gives us something to look forward to as designers.
Short: Honestly, it was surreal. I’ve never done anything like that before. I’ve been to New York, but never Fashion Week. Being surrounded by so many like-minded students and people was really encouraging. It made me feel like, OK, this is real. I can do this. Meeting industry professionals and hearing their stories was eye-opening.
We got to attend a fashion show. That was super cool because we were the first people to see that designer’s work for the season. Now seeing it posted on social media and being able to say, ‘Oh, I was there, I witnessed that firsthand’ — that’s really exciting.
Which moment stands out as especially memorable?
Caccia: I’d say the Kim Shui fashion show was probably my favorite part — seeing the collection and being up in the World Trade Center with that view. But Iconoclast also was really memorable. By that point, the ice had been broken with the students, and we were able to interact more openly while still being professional. We got to connect with people in the industry and with each other, and by the end, they felt like close friends.
Short: The fashion show for sure. It was on the very top floor of the World Trade Center, and you could see all of New York City. There were a lot of influencers and important people there. The first thing I did was take a video and send it to my grandpa, because we used to watch “Project Runway” together.
Another memorable moment was at Iconoclast. I had only met these people two days earlier, but everyone was already so encouraging. The people really made the biggest difference. They gave me a lot of confidence and made me excited for the future of the industry.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve taken away from your NYFW experience?
Caccia: Stay true to what you want to do. Don’t let anyone lead you away from that. If you want to go into the business side, then pursue that. If you want to showcase your own talent, then do that.
We talked a lot about AI — how it’s ever evolving and how we need to adapt to it. At the end of the day, it’s a tool. People who don’t use the tools available to them are more likely to get left behind. That was a big takeaway for me.
Short: The biggest thing it taught me is to be 100 percent myself. If I’m confident in my values and what I appreciate in design, that’s what will stand out.
There was a lot of talk about AI in the fashion industry — whether it will take over jobs or how to work with it. It really inspired me to be confident. If I like something, if I see it as fashion, then I can trust that, and people will appreciate it.
Even being in New York itself was inspiring. Creativity is everywhere. Just walking down the street, you see people in the coolest outfits. I got inspiration not only from the professionals but also from the people around me.
Did your NYFW experience shape any post-graduation goals?
Caccia: Originally, I wanted to go into car interiors. That’s always been my thing — working with leather and craftsmanship. But this experience opened my perspective. It showed me I can do more than just car interiors or clothes. There are so many opportunities. The world feels like my oyster now. I came in with a narrow path in mind, and now it’s opened up.
Short: Yes, definitely. A lot of the panels were interesting because so many industry professionals said they got where they are through connections and already knew someone in the industry or in New York. Sometimes that can feel discouraging since I’m from Michigan, not a big fashion hub. But it motivated me.
If I want to start my own brand or company, selling my own designs, that now feels more achievable. I’m not sure why, but that’s the takeaway I got from New York — that it’s possible. It also gave me a greater appreciation for the creative side of fashion, seeing how much work goes into the designs.
What did it mean to represent MSU at an event like this?
Caccia: I felt very proud. To be one of only two people chosen from MSU to go to Fashion Week, it felt like recognition of the hard work I’ve put into school and into developing my talent. In artistic majors, people often judge only the final product. They don’t see the process. This trip felt like recognition of the process, and that meant a lot. It’s about not only making your school proud for sending you but making yourself proud too.
Short: It was really cool. They had us do a photo shoot in university merch. I wore an MSU jersey, and this older man and his wife passed me. He said, ‘Go Green,’ told me he was an alum, and showed me his MSU hat. When I said I was there for Fashion Week, he congratulated me. Little moments like that were really special.
How will you carry the momentum of this experience forward?
Caccia: Being there was motivating. The students in this program are the best of the best. They win competitions and design cases all over the country. Seeing how hard they work pushed me.
I’m competitive. I want to be at the top, and that means I must push myself to outwork talented people. Sometimes when you stay in one place too long, you get comfortable. This experience reminded me to keep moving, always innovate, and push my own boundaries — even if it’s something I’ve never tried before.
Short: I’ve been thinking about that a lot. I learned so much from the other students about internships, portfolios, and their approaches. I’m trying to apply that advice now.
We also made great connections on the trip, so I want to build on those relationships. And honestly, being in New York gave me confidence that it’s not far away. It doesn’t have to be a distant dream. If I keep working on my designs, building my portfolio, and putting everything into my schoolwork, that’s where I’ll end up.
Is there anything you would like to add about your NYFW experience?
Caccia: Just a big thank-you to the CLC team for making this possible.
Short: Overall, I’m just very thankful. I’m grateful to Rebecca, my professor, for noticing how much I wanted to be pushed and challenged, and for giving me this chance. I’m thankful that MSU has this program and invests in students this way.
When I was little, I loved fashion design and would watch “Project Runway.” Being at Fashion Week made me realize that I’m making my dream happen, and people are willing to invest in me to help make it a reality.
