Show-Me State Times

A recent visit to Champion's facilities near Kansas City has inspired three University of Missouri seniors to create a winning collection for the Heritage Vault Collection competition, a venture between Mizzou’s Department of Textile and Apparel Management (TAM) and the apparel company Champion.

Emma Volk, one of the team members, stated, "Getting to go on-site to Champion really put everything into perspective for us." She explained that the tour helped align their design aspirations with practical production capabilities, such as screen-printing and embroidery, ensuring their project stayed within realistic boundaries.

The competition involves students from the TAM 3480 Technical Design class collaborating with Champion to create a retro-inspired Mizzou apparel line. Although this is the third year for such a partnership, it is the first time students have toured Champion's facilities. Assistant Professor Kerri McBee-Black commented on the experience, calling it "invaluable" for the students.

The class, comprising 17 students, was tasked with designing a collection in line with Champion's Triumph line aesthetics. Student teams researched Champion’s customer base and fashion trends to craft designs that align with the brand’s style. They underwent continuous refinement of their designs, incorporating feedback from Champion to develop a market-ready collection.

"The industry experience with Champion has given me valuable real-world insights," said Sabra Brockhouse, a member of the winning team. She noted it deepened her understanding of her academic learnings and shaped her career expectations. Team member Chloe Horstman added that the project enhanced her confidence in handling feedback and executing projects. "Being able to ask follow-up questions and challenge ideas are skills that will benefit everyone in this class as we enter the industry," she stated.

The winning designs will first appear at The Mizzou Store this spring, with the full 13-piece collection releasing in the fall. Reflecting on their success, each student agreed that Mizzou equipped them well for the project's challenges. Volk remarked, "This project taught me that you're going to make mistakes, but if you keep going, you can succeed in the end."

Looking ahead, the students are excited to see their designs worn around campus and beyond. "It’ll be so gratifying," said Horstman, eager to update her mother's old Mizzou sweatshirt with a new one from their collection.