FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Lauren Bouvier and Rachel Rork from the U of A apparel merchandising and product development program recently attended the fall New York Fashion Week as guests of IMG College Licensing and IMG Fashion.

Both students are juniors in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science's School of Human Environmental Sciences. Bouvier, from Richardson, Texas, and Rork, from Robinson, Texas, got a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry with access to select runway shows, panel discussions, networking opportunities with industry leaders and on-the-job shadowing with retailers and collegiate licensees.

"Through this unique collaboration of fashion and college only available at IMG, we have been able to provide priceless, one-of-a-kind experiences and insight into the fashion and retail industry for these students," said Cory Moss, SVP and managing director of IMG College Licensing. "As we work to elevate college brands, our goal is to offer our partner institutions resources beyond what a traditional licensing partner can provide in order to deliver greater value to their campuses."

Bouvier and Rork attended PINK, and interacted and provided feedback on its brand; toured Macy's, and learned about its executive development program, culture, job opportunities and participated in a panel with two executives from planning and merchandising teams; and attended a reception at Spring Studio, and talked about future fashion trends and networked with IMG Fashion contacts, including Evan Bruno, director of IMG Global Partnerships and primary liaison for The Collegiate Experience at NW Fashion Week program.

The apparel merchandising and product development program is grateful to IMG for selecting and providing these students with an inside look into the apparel industry from the industry's perspective," said Kathy Smith, clinical associate professor in AMPD. "This opportunity will benefit them in their future professions based on the exposure, networking and insights into the role branding and licensing plays in this mega apparel industry. To have these students selected two years in a row from our program for this prestigious experience speaks volumes in regard to their personal motivation and excellence in their educational experiences, giving them a competitive edge in their future professional careers."

Bouvier and Rork also attended the Self Portrait and ICY Presents: Supernova shows, attended a backstage tour of Gallery I and participated in a photoshoot wearing officially licensed Razorback gear.

Bouvier and Rork were two of just 22 students from 15 universities selected for the program.

"As the fashion industry continues to evolve, we are committed to nurturing future leaders and providing opportunities for engagement," said Leslie Russo, executive vice president of IMG Fashion Events. "The college program at NYFW is perfectly aligned with that mission, and we are thrilled to partner with our colleagues in the college division to deliver this unique experience to the students."

To be considered, students from partner institutions completed an application process, including questions regarding career plans, fashion interests, how they would apply experiences from NY Fashion Week, Arkansas fashion brand awareness, social media activities and extracurricular activities.

Last year, Bumpers College sisters Addison and Turner Grace Edwards of Fort Smith, both apparel merchandising and product development majors, were among a national group of students selected to participate in spring's New York Fashion Week.

Razorback Sports Properties is the multimedia rights holder for U of A athletics, and RSP, which manages corporate sponsorship of all 19 Razorback sports teams, is a division of IMG College. IMG's College Licensing and Fashion divisions created The Collegiate Experience at New York Fashion Week to benefit students from partner universities. IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media, operating in more than 30 countries.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.