AWC business fashion show set to teach appropriateness, fashion
By Deanna Kerslake, Staff Writer
May 21, 2007 | 4:11 p.m.
In the “real world” of job-hunting, how a person dresses during the interview can really influence an employer’s decision. Ohio University’s Association for Women in Communications is hosting a Business Apparel Fashion Show to offer advice on how to dress to impress.
The free show will be held on May 22 at 7 p.m. in the Baker Theater and is open for anyone to attend.
“The days of wearing flip flops and shorts are gone,” AWC faculty advisor Eddith Dashiell said. “For women that are ready to graduate and go into the workforce, now is the time to learn to dress more appropriately.”
This was the concept that started AWC's annual fashion show last year. Current AWC President Tashira Tierney-Houze said AWC members thought the show would be very beneficial to students who are graduating or looking for internships. She knew also that it was a good way to give the organization’s name publicity around campus. The event is becoming an OU community affair, with many different organizations getting involved.
“This year numerous organizations (BSCC, ADClub, OUAA and others) helped us with all different aspects of the show, such as ads,” Tierney-Houze said. “There are models from each organization in the show, both men and women.”
A committee of AWC members chose the fashion tips that were to be demonstrated. The show, however, is not concentrated solely on fashion, but is rather a balance of demonstrating both style and appropriateness.
Tierney-Houze further explained that the show “is focused on appropriateness in the business world; we don't pay much attention to what is ‘hip’ now, although it will show in some outfits.”
According to Tierney-Houze, last year’s show did not have the necessary preparation and had a poor turnout of about 20 people. This year she expects “a MUCH larger turnout.”
AWC is not the first to recognize that what one wears at an interview is important. OU Career Services offers a mock interview program that teaches students knowing how to dress appropriately is one important aspect of an interview. The Career Services’ Web site provides resources that detail, for both men and women, what styles and colors to wear—or not wear, how many accessories to adorn oneself with and advice on hair, nails and make-up. The AWC fashion show will attempt to demonstrate these “rules” on stage.
“There are always unwritten rules on how women are supposed to dress to be taken seriously,” Dashiell said. “Don’t give anyone in power an excuse to ignore [women].”
According to the AWC OU chapter’s Web site, “the Association for Women in Communications is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era.”