by P.J. Wirchansky
Under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Anthony Wilson, Apparel Design and Merchandising Program Director, Appalachian State University's ADM program continues to shape adaptable, industry‑ready professionals prepared for the fast‑paced, global fashion landscape. At App State, the Apparel Design and Merchandising program equips students with a comprehensive, hands-on education that integrates design, business, and technology. Ranked #3 out of 135 General Apparel and Textiles programs in North Carolina, the program is recognized for combining creative exploration with practical application, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and professional readiness.
A cornerstone of this rigorous, process‑driven learning is the for‑credit summer internship program, which serves as a bridge between academic preparation and professional practice. As Dr. Wilson explains:
"Internships are a defining part of the Apparel Design and Merchandising program experience at App State because they allow students to translate their academic preparation into meaningful professional practice. Our students are applying the design, technology, business, and problem‑solving skills they have developed in the classroom in real world industry experiences. Just as importantly, these experiences challenge them to adapt, communicate, collaborate, and contribute as professionals. We are incredibly proud to see our students step into diverse industry environments with confidence and purpose, and to see employers recognize the value they bring to their organizations."
Dr. Anthony Wilson, photo by Chase Reynolds
This summer, ADM students stepped out of the classroom in Boone and into the industry, demonstrating applied professionalism across local, national, and international stages. Here is a round-up of how several ADM students put their education into practice, building professional confidence and showcasing the high level of career-readiness and employability that App State fosters.
Global Visioning in Milan
For Julia Pepe, the summer was defined by international operations as she completed her internship at a luxury wholesale showroom in Milan, Italy. Navigating the fast-paced and demanding environment of Milan Fashion Week, Julia assisted with garment presentations, supported models, and worked directly with international buyers.
Her daily responsibilities required a sophisticated blend of technical proficiency and business acumen. She used Adobe Photoshop to create lookbooks and catalogs, and Excel to organize collection information, track garment codes and inventory, and manage packing lists. Julia credits her App State coursework with giving her the foundation to succeed in this competitive setting: "My education at Appalachian State University prepared me well for this experience. Professor Bond's styling and visual merchandising courses helped me develop skills in presentation and merchandising, while Dr. Nimet's courses strengthened my knowledge of buying, retail math, Excel, and merchandise management."
The experience allowed her to understand the entire apparel lifecycle—how collections move from showrooms to buyers and finally to retail stores. It also sharpened her skills in communication, organization, and adaptability, while providing a clear vision for her future. "After graduating from Appalachian State University this December, I know that I want to return to Milan and build my career in the fashion industry," she shares.
Julia Pepe's internship was at a luxury showroom in Milan
Large-Scale Merchandising
In the corporate sphere, Abigail McDonald gained hands-on experience with S&S Activewear, a technology-enabled wholesale distributor headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Working alongside S&S's merchandising team, Abigail analyzed sales numbers, managed product samples, and evaluated current inventory to identify "holes" in the product lines.
A major highlight of her internship was attending the ASI Chicago trade show, where she networked with industry professionals and examined product innovations firsthand. "When at the trade show, I was able to see products that I have seen pictures and SKUs of online while analyzing their numbers and really touch and feel them to see why they do the numbers they do," Abigail notes.
Abigail McDonald at the ASI Chicago Trade Show
By engaging in vendor meetings, distribution center visits, and strategic business lunches, Abigail experienced the program's emphasis on applied professionalism. Her experience solidified her corporate capabilities and bolstered her professional confidence:
"This experience has prepared me for working in a large apparel-based brand. By allowing me to learn how each part of the merchandising team works with the products... [I was] really just being treated as a valued member of the team and not just an intern."
Creative Problem-Solving
At the Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Eden Archambault merged historical knowledge with technical execution in the theater's costume department. Her summer duties included pulling costumes from inventory, conducting fittings for actors, making precise alterations, and managing behind-the-scenes quick changes during live summer performances.
Eden's work required creative problem-solving and a strong foundation in garment construction, which she had honed back in Boone. "Painting clothing to look like zebras and giraffes for the Madagascar play has been the highlight," Eden says, reflecting on her favorite part of the experience. She emphasizes how directly her academic preparation translated to her success: "The sewing skills, styling, and knowledge of historically accurate clothing are some of the things that I have learned that have set me up to succeed in this field of work... My internship is helping me gain the experience needed to continue in a career of costume design and has solidified the fact that this is indeed the path that I want to pursue."
The ultimate testament to Eden's career-readiness and employability came before her internship even ended: she was offered and accepted a permanent position as the theater's Wardrobe Supervisor for the upcoming season.
Eden's work at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre
Purpose-Driven Creativity
Representing the remote workspace, Carly Fernandez supported Deni, an apparel business based in Raleigh, North Carolina, owned by her internship coordinator and mentor, Annie Hoyt. Deni serves a highly specific niche: women in transition, particularly those experiencing menopause, who value quality, natural fibers, and timeless, versatile designs.
Carly's role blended market research, social media strategy, and advertising. Working with Annie, Carly experienced how purpose-driven creativity can address real-world needs and create a human-centered impact by helping women feel comfortable and confident in their changing bodies.
Sustainability was also at the forefront of Carly's learning. Her coordinator models eco-friendly practices by utilizing fabric scraps to create babydoll tops, tote bags, and earring cases. Carly notes that this experience taught her to promote natural, sustainable fibers that customers value for quality and environmental safety. It has given her the tools and professional confidence she needs to achieve her long-term goal of "continuously growing my creativity as I develop my own business one day."
Carly Fernandez assisted Deni, an apparel business in Raleigh, NC
Creative Design for Business Applications
Across different retail spaces, ADM students applied their training to connect design concepts with consumer behavior and community needs.
-Elizabeth Alvarez Martinez completed her summer internship at Blue Hydrangea Boutique in High Point, North Carolina. Gaining hands-on experience in visual merchandising, store displays, customer service, inventory, and retail operations, Elizabeth bridged the gap between fashion's creative side and its business realities. "These experiences helped me better understand how the creative side of fashion connects with the business and customer-focused side of the industry, which will be valuable as I pursue a career in fashion," she explains.
Elizabeth Martinez completed her internship at Blue Hydrangea Boutique in High Point, NC
-Jazlynn Brannon traveled to Iowa to work at the Okoboji Store. Utilizing her visual merchandising and marketing coursework, Jazlynn was tasked with understanding a new target market and designing displays that actively moved customer attention. Despite the initial culture shock of moving from Boone to the Midwest lakes, Jazlynn successfully put her classroom theory into action, noting that "using these skills in a real-life scenario showed me how to actually put them into action and truly how important they are."
Okoboji store located where East Lake Okoboji and West Lake Okojobi meet
Whether in Milan, Chicago, Iowa, or North Carolina, App State ADM students proved that their academic foundation translates directly into professional success. By combining process-driven learning with real-world industry and community connections, the College of Fine and Applied Arts ensures its graduates do not just enter the fashion industry—they lead it.
Through hands-on studio courses, annual field study trips to fashion capitals like New York City, and mandatory marketing minors, App State's ADM program builds a comprehensive base of industry knowledge. These summer stories highlight the true value of an ADM degree: turning passionate Mountaineers into innovative, socially responsible, and highly employable professionals.
About the Department of Applied Design
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research, and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor's degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design, and interior design.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Julia Pepe_thumb AD
Julia Pepe_thumb AD