From current fall trends to red and black outfits inspired by the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization, visitors to Wirtz Hall will be treated to the window displays that are decorated with a “Autumn in the Air” theme.

“What I enjoy most about participating in these window displays is the collaboration and teamwork,” said Alexis Evans, a senior studying fashion merchandising. “I love getting our members involved in the planning and execution process; it’s the collaboration (that) brings the sparkle to our windows.”

The window displays are the work of more than a dozen students from the Fashion Industries Organization (FIO), the student-run group for the fashion merchandising program.

“One of my favorite things about FIO is that it’s open to all majors,” Evans said. “I hope that when people pass our windows, they love it, share it, and hopefully get that itch to join FIO.”

MaryAnn Lorenz, clinical assistant professor of fashion merchandising, said along with inspiring visitors, the window installation affords students critical experience that helps them to graduate career-ready.

“These opportunities provide students with an opportunity to engage in visual merchandising in a non-classroom setting,” Lorenz said. “It provides learning opportunities for new students to engage and interact with upperclassmen who have extensive experience in visual merchandising.”

Student Claire O’Donnell, a senior majoring in fashion merchandising and psychology,  said bringing the windows to life is an exciting creative process.

“I love working with everyone and slowly watching our visions come to life,” O’Donnell said. “It’s a fun way to get to know everyone in the organization, and it requires lots of teamwork and creative collaboration which I really enjoy.” “

In addition, O’Donnell said, this year’s window display is also special as it highlights an important campus partner.

“Our fall window this year is very special because we were able to collaborate with another organization on campus, Huskie Closet,” O’Donnell said. “Our goal was to inform students about this amazing organization while also showcasing an array of unique pieces and exemplifying some ways to style items from their shop.”