Behind the Scenes Day

A campus visit dedicated to fashion!

Behind the Scenes Day is a campus visit like no other! Part of The Fashion Show at Iowa State University, this visit will take you behind the scenes of the largest student-run fashion show in the nation.

Throughout the day, you’ll participate in hands-on activities related to the fashion industry. Current Fashion Design and Merchandising students will share their Iowa State experience and answer your questions.

The day ends with a front-row seat for the final dress rehearsal for The Fashion Show. The full event draws a sold-out crowd of over 2,000 people and routinely includes guest designers from companies like Steve Madden, Urban Outfitters, and Nordstrom.

Registration Information

Behind the Scenes Day is designed for high-school students and their families/support systems. High school teachers, homeschool groups, and other youth organizations are also welcome to bring their students as a group.

Cost: There is a charge of $10.00 per attendee for Behind the Scenes Day, which must be paid at the time of registration.

Individual Registration

Register using the Individual Registration button below if your student(s) will be attending with a parent/chaperone.

Groups/Schools Registration

Register using the Groups/Schools Registration button below if you are a teacher/group coordinator bringing multiple students as a part of a school or other organization. Groups/schools are allowed 8 students per 1 chaperone with a maximum of 16 students. Multiple groups from the same school/organization may attend, but they must have separate chaperones.

Behind The Scenes Day At A Glance

Full Day Experience ( 8:00 AM- 5:45 PM)

Morning Sessions

Engage in a series of sessions showcasing the focus areas within the Fashion Design and Merchandising major, extracurricular activities for students within the major and on campus, and a Q&A session with this year’s guest designer for The Fashion Show.

Lunch (Provided with Registration)

Student Experience Fair

Interact with current students to learn more about how Iowa State and the Fashion Design and Merchandising program are preparing them for a successful future in the fashion industry in our state-of-the-art Student Innovation Center.

Start of Half-Day Experience (12:30 PM – 5:45 PM)

Those attending a full day will participate in all sessions listed on this page. Those who opt for the half day experience will start with afternoon workshops.

Afternoon Workshops

Dive into the fashion industry and apply your skills with a series of workshops about fashion history, pattern making, apparel buying, visual merchandising, styling, fashion illustrations, branding, sustainability and more.

Student Panel

Hear from a panel of current Fashion Design and Merchandising students about their experience.

The Fashion Show Final Dress Rehearsal

The moment you’ve all been waiting for, attend the first full dress rehearsal of The Fashion Show!