RMCAD’s Fashion Lecture Series: Transformative Fashion Showcase

Friday, October 6, 2023

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MT

Virtual/Mary Harris Auditorium

The lecture series will consist of 5 presentations from experts in different areas of the fashion industry. The presentations will run throughout the day starting at 10am. The community will be able to join us on campus or through Zoom.

Each presentation should last about 45 minutes with 15 minutes to spare for Q&A’s. This event will be the day prior to the fashion show, ground fashion classes are encouraged to bring their students to the presentations or join virtually. Online students are encouraged to attend the lectures virtually. Zoom links will be provided and can be shared. This event is free and open to the public.

Lecture #1

Speaker: Tara Kaufman

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Title: Creativity and Advocacy through Curation

Description: “I will share completed projects from my work in museums, from original research into a self-taught fashion designer and feminist working in the Roaring Twenties to an exhibition celebrating contemporary Nigerian-American designer Walé Oyéjidé, whose work was worn by Chadewick Boseman in the Black Panther movie. These projects will illustrate different opportunities in museum work, including exhibition curation, publications, and collections management”.

Bio: Tara Kaufman is associate curator of clothing and textiles at History Colorado in Denver. As assistant curator at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, she curated Walé Oyéjidé: Flight of the Dreamer (2022), The Work of Art: Museum Collecting Unpacked (2022), Ethel Wallace: Modern Rebel (2023), and co-curated with Dr. Laura Turner Igoe Through the Lens: Modern Photography in the Delaware Valley (2021). She specializes in modern and contemporary American art, and her research has been supported by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She received her master of arts in art history from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture.

Livestream link: Here> or attend in-person at the Mary Harris Auditorium.

Lecture #2

Speaker: Brandi McMichael

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MT

Title: From Past to Present: Fashion, Technology, and the Path to Success

Description: Explore the evolution of fashion and technology in this lecture, as we delve into the speaker’s personal journey. Discover how embracing one’s passion and intuition can lead to lasting success, even in an ever-changing technological landscape.

Bio: Brandi McMichael, formerly Brandi Shigley, is a dynamic entrepreneur who entered the fashion industry as a handbag designer in 1999, just as the dot-com boom was taking off. In 2004, she founded Fashion Denver, a platform dedicated to helping emerging fashion designers start their businesses. Over the years, Brandi has been a boutique owner, a fashion event production expert, and a tireless advocate for small businesses in the fashion sector. Currently, she serves as the Marketing and Events Coordinator at the Lion Project, where she continues to make a significant impact in the business and creative world. Brandi’s journey from designer to a prominent figure in the industry exemplifies her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring others to transform their creative aspirations into tangible realities.

Livestream link: Here> or attend in-person at the Mary Harris Auditorium.

Lecture #3

Speaker: Rachel Hartman

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. MT

Title: Lecture by Rachel Hartman

Description: Rachel Hartman share’s her experience, insight, and advice on working in the fashion industy.

Bio: “Before having an interest in fashion, my passion was snowboarding, and looking steezy while doing it. None of the outerwear was cool enough, so I set out to make my own. After being accepted into CSU’s Apparel Program, I thought my path was clear – designing dope skiwear for women. However, while attending CSU, the fashion world opened up to me, and I haven’t looked back. After working for different companies like Colorado streetwear brand Jiberish and the New York designer, Simkhai – I am now the brand manager at Original Favorites. I get to craft creative visions for products everyday, and contribute to an industry-leading digital experience for the wholesale apparel brand”.

Livestream link: Here> or attend in-person at the Mary Harris Auditorium.

Lecture #4

Speaker: Gabriel Medina

2:00 p.m.  – 3:00 p.m. MT

Title: Lecture by Gabriel Medina

Description: “With a decade of experience and real-world examples, we will allow students to gain insights into the manufacturing process including working with domestic and overseas manufacturers, sampling, testing, negotiations, and logistics. We aim to empower fashion students with the knowledge and strategies to scale up production and build their brand.”

Bio: Gabriel Medina is the founder and designer at YOCISCO, a men’s sustainable apparel company that focuses on sustainable and stylish underwear made from bamboo. The brand initially started as an online magazine but eventually began offering underwear in 2013.  The company has since expanded into loungewear, bags, socks, caps, and swimwear and is sold online and wholesale in the US, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Gabriel is also co-owner of a social media content creation company that works mainly with fashion brands, most notably, FashionNova. Gabriel has a bachelor of science degree in business with an emphasis in marketing and has been teaching at RMCAD since 2018. He is a Colorado native but currently lives in San Diego with his husband and daughter.

Livestream link Here> or attend in-person at the Mary Harris Auditorium.