Hello! My name is Itavi Stearns, and my senior project is managing and developing a new internal organizational structure for the Spring 2024 BYUI Fashion Show and create supplementary social media content on the Apparel Design Society’s Instagram. The BYUI Fashion Show, Luna Maria, takes place on July 20th, 2024 at the McKay Ampitheatre.
For the past two semesters, I have volunteered as a Digital and Campus Marketer within the Fashion Show Committee and have watched problems occur from the high -turnover rates and lack of streamlined information. Noticing these recuring situations, I designed my project to test a pilot program of training resources, timelines, reorganized leadership to better streamline information for future committees to come.
Why this project?
My senior project is meant to capture and showcase my experience as student graduating with a degree in communication. I chose this project because it is a marriage between all my passions and experiences in social media, journalism, strategic organization, theatre technical design, event planning and more.
I wanted to stretch myself in the role of a manager, with the responsibility to lead a talented and creative team in producing a showcase event for the Apparel Design Program and Society. I’ve developed my portfolio and skill set to represent myself as a good employee, but what about being a good employer?
In my manager role, I wanted to create a system and environment for my team members to feel validated and independent to have fun in their roles. We are all volunteers and we participate because we share a genuine love and fiery devotion to this fashion community and a love for the craft.
I’m refining and delivering a new system with documentation to give back to this beautiful community of designers and creators.
The Case Studies
As the current Committee Chairman for the Spring 2024 BYUI Fashion Show, I created two case studies showcasing my Senior Project and pilot program initiative, and another to document a Mid-Semester Report of the Fashion Show Committee.
These case studies are meant to report on progress towards our official date, July 20th, 2024. Our committee completed the preparation stage before meeting with our Event Coordinator to collaborate on equipment, venue planning, etc.
Social Media
In the case studies, I go over the highlights and successes of my work creating content for the show. I utilize my experience in journalism to create short video features of my peers on the committee, as well as create advertisement and entertainment pieces with the purpose to recruit volunteers and develop interest for future committee members.
Conclusion
Leadership isn’t about taking credit; it’s about elevating your team and empowering them to achieve their dreams.
Before I began my role as a manager, I was committed to make this project not about me. This project was for my team, Abigail Martian, Moriah Parent, Rosemary Durfee, Jocelyn Munoz, Anais Campos and the committees before me and that will follow.
My purpose was to elevate the Fashion Show Committee Program so that students could streamline data and resources and could almost guide themselves in their roles based on the data we left behind.
I am incredibly excited to continue fighting for this program and placing the building blocks and maps for the next committee to create a new show, without having to start from scratch from high-turnover teams.
Thank You!
If you want to learn more about the show, check out our Instagram and ticket link at…