The College of Fine Arts congratulates our John V. Roach Honors College 2020 Senior Scholars! Selected by faculty consensus in their respective schools and departments, these exceptional seniors represent academic excellence and outstanding achievement.
While Senior Scholars are typically honored at the Convocation of Academic Excellence in April each year, we are proud to recognize this year’s students virtually. Learn more about 2020 Fine Arts Senior Scholar, Katherine Vezzetti, and her future plans below.
Katherine Vezzetti, Department of Fashion Merchandising
Senior Scholar Katherine Vezzetti
Degree: BS in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in sociology
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Why TCU?
I am a proud TCU legacy and honored to continue the academic tradition of my family. I knew that TCU would provide me with a great education in a fantastic city like Fort Worth. What really impressed me were the opportunities to practice what I learned in the classroom and the collaborative, supportive connections I made with my professors, allowing me to pursue any avenue my career choice affords.
Why did you choose to major in fashion merchandising?
I wanted to find a major that appreciated and fostered creativity and the creative process. Fashion merchandising has been both fascinating and challenging for me. I find joy in the freedom to design and bring to life concepts that began as thoughts and sketches on paper.
How did your minor in sociology impact your studies?
As best said by French fashion designer Coco Chanel: “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Fashion is shaped by political and economic concepts, influenced by history, religion, and technology, and is molded by culture. I found these principles of sociology to correlate with consumer consumption patterns and future fashion trends during my time abroad in London and Paris. Through exclusive appointments with industry professionals and immersion into British and French culture, I experienced politics, history and art as inspiration for the production of fashion goods.
Tell us about your internship experience.
I joined the Kendra Scott family as the sourcing/jewelry product development intern at their headquarters in Austin, Texas for the summer of 2019. I received an incredibly well-rounded experience with full immersion in meetings and projects that oversaw the complete development phase of any product from design concept to handoff to production for manufacturing. A day in my life during my internship is highlighted on the TCU Fashion Merchandising Instagram page!
What are your proudest accomplishments while at TCU?
Each year, Kendra Scott recognizes an employee who has best epitomized the brand’s three foundational pillars, family, fashion, and philanthropy, with the Triple Star Award. I am honored to share I was awarded the Triple Star Award as the first intern recipient. I was also a member of several national honor societies and had the opportunity to represent the student community on the College of Fine Arts Dean Search Committee. Now, I am in the process of writing a fashion reference book with guidance from my department chair.
What will you miss most about TCU?
I will miss the TCU community, its people and culture. I love collaborating with my fellow student Horned Frogs, learning from my professors, and being a teaching assistant in my department. The TCU experience is truly unique; it is one of caring, intellectual stimulation, hard work and fun, all rolled into one. Being surrounded by purple is, of course, wonderful too!
What’s next?
After graduation, I plan to continue to gain industry experience with a full-time position that supports the development and creation of fashion products before pursing further education.