From Classroom to Closet: Iowa State Students Launch Market-Ready Designs

Cyclones Take New York competition turns student concepts into retail products

AMES, Iowa – Blending fashion strategy, trend research and storytelling design, two Iowa State apparel pieces created by students are now on the market thanks to the university’s Cyclones Take New York design competition.

“Each team pairs a fashion student with a graphic design student,” said Ben Vinar, director of Iowa State Trademark Licensing. “Students are challenged to think like professionals, creating designs that are both trend-driven and rooted in the Iowa State story.”

Throughout the process, Vinar guides students through the complexities of working with a major university brand, from licensing requirements to visual standards.

Ana Orescanin, a graduate student in apparel, merchandising, and design and managing director of Innovate 1858, Iowa State’s on-campus retail store, connects the competition directly to industry expectations.

“In the professional world, constraints are part of the creative process,” said Orescanin. “Designers balance brand standards, consumer expectations and production realities every day. This experience shows students how to innovate within those boundaries, which is what the industry expects.”

Students begin with market research, translate insights into design concepts and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. The top two designs are then selected for production and brought to life by Charlie Hustle, a Kansas City-based company, before being made available in stores.

First Place, Designing for Connection

Fashion design and merchandising student Lilly Arnold and graphic design student Grace Starr earned first place for their design, Home of the Tailgate.

Inspired by WGSN’s macro trend “Kintentional”, a fusion of kinship and intentionality, the pair leaned into the growing demand for authenticity and human connection. The trend favors hand-rendered textures and tactile imperfections as a counterbalance to the hyper-polished feel of AI-driven design.

“We found a lot of trends pointing to connection, community and nature,” said Arnold. “Tailgating is an Iowa State tradition that embraces all of these elements.”

For Starr, the opportunity to design something that reflected Iowa State was motivated by a personal connection.

“My dad worked in the athletic department in the 80s, and I started working there my sophomore year,” said Starr. “I wanted to create something that would make both my dad and the department proud.”

Starr joined Iowa State’s Trademark Licensing office as a trademark and licensing specialist after graduating with her bachelor of fine arts in May.

Second Place: Grad Style

Second-place winners Sarah Bernick, a public relations major with minors in fashion design and merchandising and communication studies, and Tiara Young, a graphic design student, approached their design through a lens of versatility and modern styling.

Drawing on the “grad style” trend, identified by Glamour, the duo created a design that can be styled with current trends. By integrating the word AMES into iconic campus buildings, they created a polished design that reflects what it means to carry a Cyclone connection with you wherever you go.

“The competition really gave me a look at the real world, taught me how to collaborate with clients, and will help me in the future as a graphic designer,” said Young. “I’ve never done a pitch before and learned so much through that process.”

“Being able to work with Tiara was so beneficial because we could bounce ideas off each other, see the process all the way through and produce something we’re really proud of,” said Bernick, who graduated with her bachelor of science in May. “I’ve been inspired by previous winners and taking second place was such an honor.”

Next Stop: New York City

Iowa State’s Cyclones Take New York competition is conducted in partnership with Collegiate Licensing Company. Winners earn a trip to the company’s New York experience, a multiday program that brings together college students from across the country and gives them an inside look at the world of fashion and retail.

“I’ve never been to New York, so this feels like an incredible opportunity,” said Young. “I’m especially excited to connect with students from other schools and experience it alongside someone from Iowa State outside my program.”

An Interdisciplinary Partnership

Cyclones Take New York is an interdisciplinary partnership among Trademark Licensing, the College of Health and Human Sciences, the College of Design, Innovate 1858, and Iowa State Athletics with judges coming from additional campus units. Charlie Hustle is the contest’s retail partner and CLC is the university’s licensing partner.

“It’s been incredible to watch students’ innovation and creativity develop into a real product through this contest,” said Vinar. “It’s a testament to all of our partners coming together to create something that excites students and gives them career-related experience.”

Shop the Designs

Cyclone fans can support student innovation by purchasing the latest Cyclones Take New York designs, now available at select retailers.

Innovate 1858

Charlie Hustle

Iowa State University Book Store

Rally House

Cy’s Locker Room