Madison Rust ’23 was the TCU representative at this year’s University of New York Fashion Week (UNYFW).
The Lead On, Creatively series highlights TCU College of Fine Arts alumni, students and faculty who are putting their passion into practice.
Madison Rust ’23 was selected to represent the Department of Fashion Merchandising and TCU at this year’s University of New York Fashion Week (UNYFW). The event is offered to students studying fashion at colleges and universities around the country affiliated with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC). CLC collaborates with Endeavor Fashion Events to provide future leaders in the fashion industry with opportunities to interact with and learn from professionals who know what it takes to be successful.
“Being selected as the 2023 UNYFW winner was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Rust said. “I was incredibly excited to attend UNYFW and meet other fashion students and represent my university at such an amazing event.”
What did you learn from attending UNYFW that you can apply in your future career?
I discovered the abundance of job opportunities within the industry from attending UNYFW. I also learned that once you enter the industry, no job or task is below you; humility and gratefulness will take you very far. The most helpful advice I received was to create a resume that reflects my interests in and outside the industry to help me stand out from other applicants.
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I am a Fort Worth native and have always loved the culture and spirit surrounding campus. I transferred from community college and Texas Tech to the TCU Neeley School of Business in August 2020. I later enrolled as a fashion merchandising major to pursue my dreams of starting a swimwear company. When I entered the program, I knew I had so much to learn about the industry and made the right choice for my own goals and passions.
What advice would you give to other students pursuing a degree in the Department of Fashion Merchandising?
Take advantage of all the resources here while you have them, including great instruction from your faculty.
What’s next for you?
I will complete my apparel design internship at Soma this summer and graduate from TCU in August! My dream job after graduation is to be a designer for a company I am passionate about, whether that is one I start on my own or one I have loved and followed for years.