4Kids: Fashion Showcase

For years following the conclusion of COVID-19, the Southern University fashion department has been unseen and unheard as students become re acclimated to collegiate life. Many students and staff wonder if everyone on campus has lost interest in fashion, or whether incoming students even know that Southern University has a fashion program and has had one for years.
This semester though, the department is back and on the move with new fashion shows taking place around Southern University and the Baton Rouge area! On Friday, March 25th, 2022, Southern University’s Fashion Department took fashion to the community by visiting Dufrocq Elementary.
Ashley Montgomery, a Senior Apparel Merchandising and Textiles major, is not only an upcoming fashion designer but is also a teacher of kindergartners and first graders at Dufroq Elementary School. After speaking with Ashely to figure out what inspired her to want to put on this show she stated, “A lot of the kids I work with come from low income homes which can sometimes cause issues in the classroom. Also I wanted to show them that you can always make new clothes out of old clothes.”
Not only did she direct the show she brought her Professor, Kennedy-Benson, who was shocked and amazed by her student’s work. Professor Kennedy- Benson spoke to the students about the fashion world and being a college student.
This was important to the school and students because this gave them a way to introduce a new career to the students rather than what they were used to hearing about and seeing. According to teachers in attendance, the kids felt as though the fashion students were celebrities and they felt so special to be handpicked to be in their very first fashion show.
In the end, Ashely, as well as Dufrocq Elementry’s Principal both said they would love to work with the SU fashion department again but bigger and better next time.