Student Organization of the Week
Written by Rachel Strobel Friday, 19 February 2010 08:00
At a college mainly based around agriculture and engineering, most would not even think about fashion majors being a dominate force in student organizations. But the Fashion, Apparel and Business Organization (FABO) are set to change that.
The members of FABO are currently running a clothing drive to benefit Haiti. A booth has been set up in the Memorial Union this past week and will be up Feb. 23-25. They are accepting all donations.
FABO members may like to talk about current trends at their weekly meetings, but don’t think that this is a group of stuck up fashion snobs. FABO’s President Kim Zubke, a senior apparel and textiles major, wants to make it clear they are just like any other college students.
“Our members wear sweatpants too,” Zubke said. “Some people have told me that they can’t be in FABO because they aren’t fashionable, but we don’t care.”
The organization currently has around 60 members according to their faculty advisor Linda Manikowske. Most of these members are apparel and textile majors, but Zubke would love to see a variety of people join their ranks.
“Having a variety of majors and people would be nice because everyone has different ideas and ways of thinking,” Zubke said.
One thing that may entice students of all majors to join are their field trips. A trip to Chicago earlier this fall prepared the members for their recent trip to the Twin Cities. While in Minneapolis, the group met with NDSU alumni and attended a fashion show at the University of Minnesota.
Some members are also gearing up for a study tour this summer to the fashion capitol of America, New York City. Other city study tours they have been a part of have taken them to Las Vegas and Paris.
Freshman Melissa Schulz, a retail merchandising major, is one of the many who enjoys the FABO trips.
“The best part of the organization is the trips. So far I have attended the trip to Chicago and Minneapolis already this year and I have learned and experienced so much,” Schulz said.
Other than the trips, what most people think of when they hear FABO is their fashion show. Plans are already underway for their premiere show.
As noon roles around on April 28, the Great Plains Ballroom will be transformed by their runway and models ready to show off both students and local business’s apparel. Last year’s fashion show caught the eye of Schulz.
“I went to the FABO fashion show last year and fell in love. I knew right then I wanted to be a part of the fashion show in 2010,” Schulz said.
Zubke is very proud of the successes of past fashion shows and looking forward to another eventful afternoon.
“It is a lot of work for a half hour show, but it is growing every year,” Zubke said.
Not all of the organization’s efforts are put into this fashion show. FABO is also very involved in community events.
In the past, FABO has been involved in MeritCare’s Festival of Wreaths. They also help at Fargo’s Self-Sufficiency Center with a program called Clothing & Connections. This program gives the students the opportunity to help individuals with low incomes find clothing for business interviews. They also are able to coach them on making first impressions and interviewing skills.
With so much going on FABO continues to stand out at NDSU. Whether they are taking trips to see fashion shows, putting on their own, or giving back to others in the community, the members of FABO are always putting their best foot forward.
