By Sarah Stone

Every fall, industry icons from around the world descend on New York City for Fashion Week.

They travel from every international fashion hub: Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo …

and Raleigh, North Carolina, home of the Wilson College of Textiles. 

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for a college student to go to New York Fashion Week [NYFW],” senior Ankitha Gurram says. “It was insane.”

She spent four days immersing herself in the industry – and the city – through U of NYFW. 

The all-expenses-paid program gives about 25 college students from around the country access to the event every fall and spring. NC State’s Trademark Licensing office made it possible for the Wilson College to send one student this semester. Gurram won the joint competition that determined who would go.  

Inside Fashion Week

Unique, exclusive experiences defined Gurram’s time in New York City. 

She attended a fashion show off-limits to the general public: Son Jung Wan. A tour of Spring Studios, the headquarters for NYFW, allowed her to take in the frenzy backstage as models prepared for the runway.

“Being in person and seeing a new line for the first time with my own eyes was definitely the coolest experience,” the brand management and marketing student says.