Kirkwood Community College Apparel Merchandising & Design

09/10/2026

09/03/2026

Fashion education is a balancing act! Invest in yourself and commit to your learning.

With tessa, Josie Teymer, and Emma Poplawski.



Meme copywriter: Tessa Teberg

08/31/2026

Apparel Textiles students examined shoes as a Gallery Walk activity. The purpose was to assess students' current knowledge of textiles and find out if they could correctly name the fibers, materials, and processes used to construct these shoes. The activity wrapped up with a class discussion to further increase students' learning of textiles.

08/31/2026

Fashion History students learned about the two methods of garment construction as part of our lesson: draping and tailoring (cut and sewn). Students watched a brief video on draping methods and then experimented in a team-building draping activity to create their own designs.

08/30/2026

On the first day of class sophomore fashion students in Apparel Textiles experimented with the flower pounding method for dyeing textiles. Cotton fabric was mordanted in advance. Students were given a demo to show how cellulosic fiber reacts when plant life is pounded into it to extract the natural dyes. Then students tried the method out for themselves, arranging flowers and leaves in designs on their fabrics, layering parchment paper, and then pounding away. Students returned to class to heat set their textile designs.

08/26/2026

The "Threads of Asia" display was instructor-planned to provide students with visual merchandising experience on the first day of class and to also promote the new fashion study abroad to Japan and Vietnam. All of the clothing was manufactured in Asia, with select pieces made directly in Vietnam. These thrifted ensembles represent Asian fashion concepts and aesthetics with a modernized twist. One outfit includes a haori-style jacket with sleeves redesigned from trouser legs and an ode to obi using the original sleeves as ties. The second outfit echoes traditional áo dài concepts, pairing a long tunic over trousers. The color palette consists primarily of dark blues and grays - along with a few pops of red and yellow. Echoes of Asian culture are also depicted through the backdrop, a bamboo shade, and props that include lanterns splashed with cherry blossoms, a mossy ground, and a bamboo plant.

08/25/2026

The summer fashion exhibition was curated and constructed by second-year fashion students. This meant additional effort after our annual fashion show and exhibition, demonstrating their exemplary work ethic and phenomenal creativity! Select projects from both first-year and second-years were showcased along with faculty work. These 50 artifacts included maquettes, fashion plates, concept boards, presentation posters, mini quilts, bags, and garment designs.

Exhibition Coordinators: Emma Acton (Emma Acton), Jonathan Carrick (Joanthan Carrick), Summer Franck (Summer Franck), Delaney Pasker (Delaney Pasker), Gabriella Rippel (Gabriella Rippel), and Travell Wright (versailles.design.corp)

Exhibitors: Emma Acton, Zari Ambundo (Zari Ambundo), Jonathan Carrick, Hongwei Cole (Hongwei Cole), Summer Franck, Angele Matiyabo, Eathan McMahon, Grace Nauholz (Grace Nauholz), Delaney Pasker, Gabriella Rippel, Mollie Snedden, Dr. April Elisha Stanley, Tessa Teberg (tessa), Josie Teymer (Josie Teymer), and Travell Wright

Advising Faculty: Dr. April Elisha Stanley


Creativity

08/25/2026

✨ Meet Josie ✨

Josie (Josie Teymer) is a first-year student and serves as Event Planner for en Vogue. Outside of classes, she enjoys watching movies, window shopping, and learning spooky facts about history. Growing up in a small town in Iowa, she would often get looks throughout school for the outfits she curated, which drove her to love fashion even more. So much so that she wants to make a career in costume and wardrobe styling. Her favorite current trend is, forever and always, animal print!

Graphic Designer: tessa

05/28/2026

Summer Franck, you have a phenomenal work ethic and have many great accomplishments! Keep up the exceptional progress!

05/10/2026

Graduation day!!! And just like that...they're spreading their wings and away they go.

These past few years have been memorable. We could not be more proud of each one of you!!!

With .design.corp .em