Student models ending the show with their final walk on the runway. (Photo by Autumn Watts)
Colorado State University Pueblo’s Career Closet hosted its inaugural Career Fashion Show in the Occhiato Student Center (OSC) on April 2, an event designed to showcase professional workplace attire while highlighting the university’s Career Closet. The event included food and live music by DJ Rick G.
The idea for the Career Fashion Show came from Assistant Director Shantel Frazier, who envisioned the event as a way to educate students on professional dress codes while bringing awareness to the Career Closet.
The original goal was to hold the event in the fall of 2024 in order to recruit student models. During the distribution of promotional flyers throughout campus, staff and students assisted in spreading the message, and some peer support was given. By diligently promoting the event, they were able to recruit a sizable number of student volunteers to walk the runway.
“The brainstorming was a process of its own. We reached out to other universities who have also had Career Fashion shows, and they gave us some advice. When it came down to the logistics of the event, we partnered with SEAL, and they assisted with getting DJ Rick G. Overall to make flyers, plan catering, and adjust all moving parts, it accumulated to approximately 10 hours worth of planning,” Internship Coordinator Jessica Brown said.
The primary goal of the Career Fashion Show was to raise awareness about the Career Closet and provide students with tangible examples of how to dress professionally while still expressing their personal style. Located in the Occhiato Student Center, room 007, the Career Closet offers students free business professional clothing they can keep.
Dillard’s, a longtime partner of CSU Pueblo through etiquette dinners and career fairs, also participated. Their team conducted a tie demonstration and sponsored a giveaway, adding an extra layer of professional development to the event.
For attendees and participants alike, the Career Fashion Show was a night filled with excitement and inspiration.
“I genuinely enjoyed seeing our student models having a great time on the runway. They all looked great, and the confidence in their strut, the outfits they chose, and the confidence they held gave me life,” Brown said. “The presence of supportive students and faculty further enhanced the atmosphere, making the event a true community effort.”
Given the overwhelming success of the event, there is anticipation for future Career Fashion Shows at CSU Pueblo.
“This was a pilot event, and we wanted to see if the student population would be interested. We are anticipating having another fashion show in the future,” Brown said.
With its strong turnout, engaging atmosphere, and meaningful purpose, the Career Fashion Show not only showcased stylish workplace attire but also reinforced the importance of career readiness for CSU Pueblo students. As the university continues to support student success through initiatives like these, the Career Closet and similar resources will remain valuable assets for professional growth.
