Fashion in Phoenix: A Design Education from the Southwest

The fashion fan who wants to weave bola ties, leather boots, and other Southwestern influences into her style may find fashion design school in Phoenix, Arizona to be the perfect fit.

Arizona Fashion Leaders

The bola tie has been the official neckwear of Arizona since 1971, and state Representative Tom Prezelski wears it as a symbol of his Arizonian pride. The Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Herb Guenther, regularly sports the bola tie and is acquiring a small collection of the braided cords, which are held together by a pendant made of a gem or other item. The Southwest fashion accessory is even celebrated by a non-profit called the Arizona Bola Tie Society.

Fashion Design for the Disabled

Of course, it's not all just bola ties and boots in Arizona. South of Phoenix, a recent fashion show in Tucson, Arizona showcased fashion for the disabled. The Aurora Foundation's disABLED Divaz Fashion Show gave 30 women with a variety of disabilities a chance to shine. Fashion design students created functional and beautiful clothing and learned about custom-fitting in the process. With over 750,000 people with disabilities in Arizona as of 2005, there should continue to be a big need for fashion designs fit for the disabled.

Fashion Degree Education

While it's possible to become a success without formal fashion design training, the connections you'll make and the techniques you'll learn in fashion school can give you a solid footing in the industry. A fashion degree helps you build a foundation of fundamentals, and the spirit of Arizona can offer you some of the Southwest zest and inspiration to coordinate a fashion style all of your own.
Sources
Mohave Daily News, "Passionate Few in Arizona Remain Devoted to the Bola Tie"
Tucson Citizen, "Disabled Women Grace Fashion Walkway"

James Tolles is a freelance writer with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Creative Writing and History.