Creating FashioNation

FashioNation is more than it seams.

FashioNation was sewn together in fall 2008 at Texas State University, since then the program has become one of the largest on campus.

Texas State Fashion Merchandising alumnae Melarie Benson and Dominique DeVeReaux founded FashioNation last year.

Benson and DeVeReaux wanted to create an organization that brought different majors together for one purpose: fashion.

photo courtesy of FashioNation

Junior Fashion Merchandising major Courtni Martin claims she always had a passion for fashion.

“When I was young,” she said, “I used to always wear my Pull-Ups with a pair of black tights, a bathing suit top and a leather jacket with sunshades.”

However, when Martin arrived at Texas State, she did not think about putting her natural fashion sense to work.

“At first I was majoring in Business Management thinking that that major would equip me to open up my own boutique and salon later in life,” said Martin.

“But I realized I had all the business but no fashion.”
“Although FashioNation was still new and had a lot of growing to do, Dominique and Melarie planted a seed on this campus. I saw their vision and wanted to be a part of making it manifest,” said Martin.

“I really love the energy of the organization and what it stands for,” said Martin.

Martin is not alone.

Charae Tucker also found herself switching to the Fashion Merchandising department.

Tucker said she was always interested in shoes, but it was not until she arrived at Texas State that she became interested in fashion and wanted to know more.

“I originally came to school for psychology and now I am a fashion major,” said Tucker.

“FashioNation really opened my eyes to another side of fashion,” said Tucker, who is now the FashioNation Fundraiser Coordinator.

“FashioNation is a very hands-on organization,” said Martin.

FashioNation not only discusses the fashion industry, but it gives members the opportunity to experience the industry through participation in the preparation and production of fashion shows, photo shoots and casting calls.

“We really feel that a person cannot become an expert at what they do until they are given the opportunity to show what they can do,” said Martin.

“My mother was a buyer for Neiman Marcus before I was born, so I was always surrounded by fashion catalogs,” said Fashion Merchandising major Erin Cooper.

“But I didn’t even know the amount of work and talent needed to put on a fashion show until I joined FashioNation,” said Cooper.

FashioNation member Erin Cooper

Aside from fashion shows, FashioNation hosts special guests that speak at meetings about different aspects of the fashion industry.

This year, FashioNation hosted the Store Manager from Buckle at Barton Creek Mall, a makeup artist and a few entrepreneurs who started their own businesses said Tucker.

Because of these opportunities, FashioNation gives us networking skills and gives us the chance to pool our creative resources together said Cooper.

Besides for fashion merchandising majors, FashioNation includes makeup artists, professional and aspiring models, public relation students and a wide array of members.

Advertising major Sophia Gamez, who goes by Sophia Jacqueline, always believed people should “dress how you want to be addressed.”

At one point, Gamez planned on becoming a dermatologist, but decided that in the medical field she would not be able to express herself the way she wanted.

After attending beauty school, Gamez started her own business as a make-up artist and returned to Texas State to complete a degree in advertisement.

“Fashion and makeup isn’t about being so consumed in the way you look, but being comfortable looking the best you can so your true characteristics will show,” said Gamez.

“Everyone loves to feel good.”

“FashioNation has allowed me to network with people who are just as ambitious as I am,” said Gamez.

“It really is motivating to be around people with the same interest as me. I hadn’t really done many fashion shows, but FashioNation has exposed me to the details in what goes into a show and how it is run behind the scenes,” said Gamez.

FashioNation hosts fashion shows with the help of Model Citizens, a section of FashioNation that focuses on only the models.

Sophia Gamez applies makeup before a FashioNation fashion show, photo courtesy of Sophia Gamez

“I’ve done a few fashion shows with FashioNation and have used their models for a lot of my current photo shoots,” said Gamez.

FashioNation’s most recent event was a Go Green Fashion Show. The creative teams created new looks from donated clothes.

Go Green Fashion Show, courtesy of FashioNation

“It was a lot of fun to put all of our minds together and recreate looks, showing others how to revamp their wardrobe while spending little or no money,” said Tucker.

“FashioNation is starting to get more and more members as we put on bigger and better events,” said Cooper.

There are two main events FashioNation hosts every year; Fashion Week and Project Prom.

Fashion Week is a campus-wide week of fashion events. FashioNation plans the events a year ahead.

“It's only weeks away and we are all so excited!” said Martin.

This year’s Fashion Week focuses on Flight for a Cure.

Flight for a Cure’s focus is cancer awareness delivered through the medium of fashion. A percentage of the proceeds from the week will go to the American Cancer Society.

FashioNation participates in the San Marcos community through Project Prom. FashioNation’s Project Prom helps underprivileged girls from San Marcos High School get ready for the prom.

“We assist with finding them a dress, shoes, jewelry, hair and makeup,” said Martin.

“The diversity of FashioNation makes it a unique organization that is dedicated to helping the community,” said Tucker.
“As with any profession, you want to do something that does not feel like work even when it’s stressful. Fashion became my life passion when I realized how much I enjoy it,” said Tucker.

“Everything that I've done in my life has always revolved around fashion and FashioNation has really equipped me with the proper resources that I need to have a successful career in fashion,” said Martin.