Explore fashion industry careers at Make It Work in Fashion panel

Flyer text: Make it Work in Fashion: Fashion entrepreneurs share secrets about making a hobby into a career. Monday October 15th, 5-8 pm, Walter Rotunda.
Alexis Eichelberger
October 10, 2018

Learn how a passion for fashion can become a profitable career at the Make It Work in Fashion event Monday, Oct. 15, from 5-8 p.m. in the Walter Hall Rotunda.

Six panelists will discuss how they turned their hobbies into successful business ventures. The event will also feature a fashion show and serve as the kick-off of a design contest for cash prizes. Refreshments will also be served.

Panelists are:

  • OHIO alumni Zack Hurley and Jesse Dombrowziak, cofounders of apparel manufacturer and fashion consultancy Indie Source, and members of Forbes’ Manufacturing and Industry 30 Under 30 List.
  • Coral Wedel, designer and founder of Athens-based sustainable fashion collection Coral Marie.
  • Andrew McEwen, founder of athletic apparel company McEw.co.
  • Liz Haislip, founder of Pebby Forevee apparel and accessory brand.
  • Current OHIO student Brooke Hyland, social media influencer and partner of charitable apparel company Ivory Ella. 

The event will also launch a student fashion design contest, with a $1,000 prize for the winner. Students will have until the end of the semester to submit a one- to two-page summary of a fashion concept, along with a three-minute pitch video. Proposals may include fashion designs for apparel or accessories, or store concepts focused on retail space. Hurley, Dombrowziak and other panelists will serve as judges.

Event cosponsors are the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development Program. The Center for Entrepreneurship is a partnership between Ohio University’s College of Business and Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.