Fashion isn’t so different in the other Manhattan—Manhattan, KS that is. And the Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design (ATID) Department at Kansas State University (K-State) aspires to change the world of design through a focus on the human ecological framework in its teaching, scholarship, and service.

Students in the Apparel and Textiles undergraduate program at K-State are introduced to the three tiers of sustainability: social responsibility, environmental responsibility, and economic sustainability. It is critical that students understand sustainable systems within the fashion supply system. The program is designed to inspire students to envision fresh new approaches to the global challenges facing every aspect of the fashion supply chain, including production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of apparel and textile goods.

K-State’s program provides students the aesthetic, practical, technical, professional, and intellectual skills needed for a variety of careers in the fashion industry. Examples include creative design, technical design, patternmaking, sourcing, strategic planning, buying, styling, and retail management and business management positions. Students can choose to specialize in Apparel Design and Production or Apparel Marketing. Its sewing lab was recently updated, and offers students the opportunity to enhance their skills on equipment used in the industry.

The program offers students an academic experience that includes strong industry ties. In the spring, students participate in an annual event that includes a runway show and gallery exhibit, which consists of showcasing work completed by our students, a networking luncheon, keynote speaker, and other activities to interact with alumni and industry professionals. In the fall, a career and networking event is held which allows students in our program to intermingle and seek internships and part- and full-time positions. Professionals from across the country representing many career paths in the fashion industry attend this networking event.

Students have the opportunity to participate in both domestic and international faculty-led study tours, including New York City, Las Vegas, Portland, Dallas, India, Guatemala, and China. Students also have the chance to join an organizational group, which allows students to participate in co-curricular activities and lets students meet and form friendships with their peers and other students in the Apparel and Textiles program. All students in the program participate in an internship experience and are assigned to a dedicated academic advisor, professional, and faculty mentor. Students also have the opportunity to work with faculty on research projects.

K-State also offers a minor in Apparel and Textiles, and Apparel and Textiles Graduate program, and an online Merchandising Specialization program.

For more information on K-State’s Apparel and Textiles undergraduate and graduate programs, email atidinfo@k-state.edu or visit https://www.he.k-state.edu/atid/.

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