Building the Future: Education and Innovation at TFII and Texas Fashion Week

By Jules Aldaz

Photography by Boy June Photography

TFII President Saige Thomas, Treasurer Carolyn Erickson, and Board Secretary Patricia Fernandez

Step into the vibrant world of Texas fashion with exclusive insights from our recent interview with Saige Thomas, the visionary President of the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative (TFII), as well as the dynamic Nichelle Hosley, Membership Director and Associate Producer of Texas Fashion Week, which occurs annually in San Antonio during the first week of October. Together, Saige and Nichelle unveil how TFII and Texas Fashion Week are transforming the state's style landscape by rooting their mission in education for aspiring fashion professionals. 

Established to empower emerging talent with knowledge and resources, TFII has woven education into the very fabric of its existence. This commitment not only fuels the success of the organization, but also lights up the runway at Texas Fashion Week (TXFW), where new designers from all over the world dazzle on a prominent platform. Read on to discover how they're stitching together opportunities, and setting the stage for the next generation of Texas fashion icons.

What are the main objectives of Texas Fashion Week, and how have they evolved since its inception?

Initially, the main objective of Texas Fashion Week was to satisfy the educational needs of the local fashion industry. Over time, there was a shift away from this focus. However, this year marks a return to those foundational initiatives, placing educational resources at the forefront. The aim is now to provide comprehensive educational support, not only to the local community, but also across the state.

Can you share the most significant milestones Texas Fashion Week has achieved so far?

One of our proudest moments was hosting the former President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) at last year's Texas Fashion Industry Awards, where she delivered an inspiring speech. We also hit a significant PR milestone by inviting and hosting representatives from Forbes Magazine, which helped elevate our platform on a national level.

This year, we're thrilled to have achieved another milestone by providing a platform for 11 college students to showcase their designs at no cost to them. We believe in supporting emerging talent without the financial burden that often comes with upfront costs. These talented students hail from institutions such as the University of the Incarnate Word, University of North Texas, Houston Community College, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman's University, Dallas College, and Parsons School of Design. It's incredibly rewarding to empower the next generation of designers and give them the opportunity to shine.

How does Texas Fashion Week stand out from other fashion weeks across the country?

Texas Fashion Week distinguishes itself in several significant ways. First, we truly embody the concept of a full fashion week by extending our events over seven days. While many other fashion weeks are condensed into a weekend, we make a concerted effort to provide a comprehensive, week-long experience. This year, our schedule spans six days because the calendar places the seventh day on a Monday, but our commitment to offering an extensive program remains unwavering.

Beyond the length of the event, we place a strong emphasis on education and community engagement. We host a high school sustainability competition that features participation from approximately eight different high schools, including Warren High School, Brandeis, Harlan, Johnson, Ronald Reagan, Brennan, Taft, and East Central High School. Students are tasked with creating a sustainable look and will produce a tri-fold display to illustrate how they have reduced waste in their design and how they have repurposed some of the waste generated. By offering these educational opportunities and activating the community through partnerships with local schools, we not only enrich the experience for our attendees, but also invest in the next generation of fashion professionals. This focus on education and community involvement truly sets Texas Fashion Week apart from other fashion events. 

Can you give us a sneak peek of any exciting events or showcases planned for this year’s Texas Fashion Week?

We’re thrilled to welcome an impressive lineup of designers from all over the world. We have talent coming in from New York, Chicago, Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Seattle, Missouri, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, as well as international designers from Dubai and Zimbabwe. One of the highlights we’re excited to share is that Project Runway designer Casey Black will be showcasing her work on October 5th – that’s a show you definitely won’t want to miss! We’re incredibly excited to have her join us, along with many other outstanding designers. It’s truly special to see such a diverse group bringing their unique designs to Texas, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience what they have to offer.

When you are in the process of organizing Texas Fashion Week, how do you decide which designers are going to showcase their work?

Photograph courtesy of TFII 

Designers interested in participating fill out an online application, where we review their websites and social media profiles to assess their work. Saige, who was taught through a CFDA workshop and through her mentorship with Elliot Carlyle who is also a CFDA board member, on how to evaluate and vet designers, leads this selection process. We believe in supporting designers at various stages of their careers, so even if some are still developing their craft, we allow them to showcase because the experience is crucial for their growth. However, if a designer doesn't have a professional website or brand Instagram, we typically don't allow them to show, as these platforms are essential for presenting their brand effectively.

How do you see the Texas fashion industry evolving in the next few years?

We envision the Texas fashion industry evolving through enhanced educational opportunities and mentorship programs. We're focusing on providing workshops and bringing in experienced professionals from across Texas to mentor and develop our local designers, stylists, and fashion professionals. This is definitely a part of our goal to foster growth and innovation within the industry.

Additionally, we aim to create deeper relationships with colleges. While we already speak at various institutions, we'd love to become more involved through TFII, engaging students at the college level and even younger when possible. Nichelle's experience speaking at last year's Educational Activation was incredibly inspiring—seeing students so excited about their craft was mind-blowing.

As our fashion community grows, we believe it's crucial to distinguish between superficial interest and true professional dedication. By elevating genuine talent and helping professionals level up, we anticipate that the Texas fashion community will reach new heights and make a significant mark on the map.

Let's switch gears a bit and chat about overall fashion! What trends are you noticing in the Texas fashion industry, and how do you feel it's influencing the broader fashion scene?

One significant trend I've observed is the growing emphasis on sustainability, which has been huge and well worth exploring. Designers are increasingly focusing on eco-friendly practices and materials, making sustainability a cornerstone of their creations.

We've also definitely seen the return of Western wear, and I don't think that's going away anytime soon. Western-inspired pieces like cowboy boots in a variety of styles, cowboy hats and fringe pieces even in accessories are sticking around and evolving in exciting ways. This influence extends beyond Texas; for example, Pharrell Williams has incorporated Western elements into his designs, showcasing how our local trends are impacting the broader fashion scene.

It's really interesting to see American designers engaging with political themes as well. We've witnessed the release of election-themed collections, like 'The Election Collection,' highlighting how fashion can intersect with politics. Even major publications like Vogue have featured figures like Jill Biden on their covers, emphasizing this trend.

Overall, the Texas fashion industry is making significant contributions by promoting sustainability, reviving Western aesthetics, and embracing political dialogue, all of which are influencing the global fashion landscape.

Finally, what advice would you give not only to aspiring designers and fashion entrepreneurs in Texas, but to anyone wanting to get involved in the fashion industry? Is there something you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

Seek mentorship with a quality organization—it can make a world of difference in your career. Understand that failure is an essential part of the growth process, so don't be afraid to 'fail forward.' As designers or models, or anyone in the fashion industry, it's easy to feel discouraged when a pitch doesn't go as planned, and you might feel tempted to walk away. But don't let fear hold you back. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity that helps you grow and evolve as a fashion professional.

This year, TFII is actively encouraging everyone to participate in the upcoming election. At every event we host, there will be a dedicated area where attendees can register to vote.

The Texas Fashion Industry Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and development of the fashion industry in Texas. Based in San Antonio, TFII serves as the home base for Texas Fashion Week, highlighting emerging designers and fashion professionals from across the state. Impressively, 100% of the funds TFII receives are funneled directly back into the local fashion community through its various programs. By providing educational resources and opportunities, TFII propels the local industry onto the global stage, making education one of the key factors contributing to its success. ■

(L - R: Marketing Director Austin Alegria, Director of Community Outreach Markanthony Ball, TFII President Saige Thomas, TFII General Board Member Joel Rivas, Fundraising Director Maximiliano Musas, Treasurer Carolyn Erickson, and Board Secretary Patricia Fernandez)

For more information on TFII and Texas Fashion Week, please visit www.texasfashionindustry.org.

Photos for this article were taken in partnership with Collective Studio (1100 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78205).