From Fabric to Philanthropy: Fashion Students Design with a Purpose at Salvation Army
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By: Tvisha Bawa, Fashion Management Graduate Certificate student
Practice makes perfect, however, hands-on implementation prepares for a more stable industry foundation. In the winter of 2023, Fashion Management students had the opportunity to leverage industry-grade software to develop virtual environments for the Salvation Army, a charity-driven non-profit. Being a practical-based curriculum, under the guidance of Professor Vladamira Steffek and Fashion Management Program Co-ordinator Rossie Kadiyska with the active involvement of Faculty of Media and Creative Arts Professor David Neumann, the students were able to gain experience that extended beyond the business-oriented focus of the course and applied to industry settings by tackling challenges within virtual merchandising.
After a fourth-month-long semester geared towards understanding the underpinnings of the merchandising sphere in the fashion industry, an array of unique virtual environments were developed by students– ranging from new wall concepts to in-store fixtures that would house a variety of apparel items. The uniqueness of each concept highlighted a high level of comprehension of not just the project brief, but also the Salvation Army brand and vision– allowing this next generation of fashion students to explore more than what meets the eye. A quick browse through an apparel store would now prompt strategies and design thinking in every visit!
Being the most comprehensive project, hands down, the rewards were equally, if not more, rewarding. Following up on these creative deliveries, with the help of Web Design and Interactive Media Program Co-ordinator David Neumann, the students had an opportunity to present curated designs to the top management team at Salvation Army. Leveraging augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology, students offered an immersive spatial design experience to the decision-makers, enabling them to walk through the AR/VR student groups’ creative solutions.
As a bonus, Tvisha Bawa, Lisa Jarwal, and Josh Singh developed a summative creative presentation that encapsulated the top three creative visual merchandising tech designs. Following the Board of Directors presentation, Tonny Colyn, National Director of Business Development and Sustainability at Salvation Army Recycling Operations, offered a detailed walkthrough of the organization's operations. This behind-the-scenes tour encompassed logistics, warehousing, and day-to-day operational dynamics at the National Recycling Center of the Salvation Army. Through this practical exposure, the students acquired a deeper understanding of efficient nonprofit management and the integration of sustainable practices in business operations. This experience complemented their educational insights and equipped them with practical knowledge crucial for their future in fashion and business management.
As the semester concluded, the experiences garnered through this project proved to be transformative. The student mastered the technical skills for virtual merchandising, fashion and technology and developed a keener appreciation for sustainable business practices - crucial in today's environmentally conscious market. Their journey from conceptual designs to tangible insights into the operations of a major nonprofit organization underscored the profound impact of experiential learning. The lessons learned here will resonate throughout their careers, encouraging a blend of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility in whatever paths they choose to pursue.
Thank you to Professors Steffek, Rossie Kadiyska, David Neumann and Salvation Army for creating and offering this learning opportunity to Fashion Management students.
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