New York Fashion Week: Glitz, glam and guarantees

Paige Mathes has had a love for fashion since she was in elementary school. Whether it was stitching up the other kids’ ripped stuffed animals or trying to sell her couture sketches on the playground for a profit, Mathes knew the design industry was one she couldn’t ignore — even if it wasn’t an area she had always planned on pursuing.

Now a fashion design sophomore at Syracuse University, Mathes originally found herself at a crossroads between fashion design and speech pathology when selecting her major. 

“I never thought I would do [fashion] as a career, but once I started to flesh it out, I realized that it could be something I wanted to do,” Mathes said. “It’s always been there, but it never hit me in the face.”

She admitted that part of this was due to her feeling more confident as a student rather than a designer – stating that she feels more gifted academically rather than creatively. It’s no surprise that a blend of her passion for design and academic excellence secured her a coveted spot at New York Fashion Week this past weekend through the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and the University of New York Fashion Week (U of NYFW) program.

Rachel Duffy, Syracuse’s Director of Trademarks and Licensing, noted that SU annually sends two students to Fashion Week.

“For about six years, the CLC — SU’s exclusive licensing agency — facilitated the U of NYFW experience for its affiliated schools, including SU,” Duffy said. “Upon taking over the Office of Trademark Licensing at Syracuse University, it only made sense to offer the experience to our incredible students.”

Duffy explained that once accepted to the program, events span from attending a panel with IMG modeling agents, to going backstage and seeing hair and makeup, to, in Mathes’s case, sitting behind actress Kelly Rutherford at the Son Jung Won fashion show.

Mathes said that although it may be trivial, her favorite part of the trip was the exclusive shopping spree and customization service at the Champion flagship store in Soho.

“I just love a free shopping spree, like that’s exciting, but it was also interesting to see the perks that come with the industry. A lot of potential perks come from being in this type of field,” Mathes said.

The trip offered more than just a dream shopping experience. It played a crucial role in solidifying Mathes’ career aspirations and soothing her apprehensions.

“It helped ground everyone and made it a more graspable thing,” Mathes said.

Mathes explained that one of the most beneficial parts of the trip was knowing that regardless of where she wanted to end up, there were jobs in the fashion industry.

“In our field, getting a job, securing a position and being happy and stable just seems like this inconceivable idea,” Mathes said. “The truth is that most fashion opportunities are desk jobs with meetings, which can still be very creative. I may have to work corporate, and of course, there’s company structure, but I am going to get a job.”

Duffy echoed this sentiment, praising the networking and potential career advancements the U of NYFW program facilitates.

“I truly believe that as an employee of the university, we have a responsibility to provide every opportunity to our students. The U of NYFW program aligns with that goal,” Duffy said. “I love to hear from students how impactful the event is.”

For Mathes, the experience was transformative.

“It’s inspiring. Being able to be at the shows and see stuff backstage,” Mathes said. “It lets us get a taste of the more creative aspect of the field, and helps push what we’re studying forward.”