Watch Party Set as Apparel Alumna Brittany Allen Competes on Project Runway

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Brittany Allen graduated from Bumpers College's apparel program in the School of Human Environmental Sciences in 2011.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A watch party is scheduled Thursday in the Arkansas Union Theatre for the season premiere of Bravo TV's Project Runway, which features U of A alumna Brittany Allen.

Allen earned her bachelor's degree in 2011 in what was then apparel studies in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science's School of Human Environmental Sciences.

She is one of 16 designers competing on this year's show, which airs Thursday at 8:30 p.m. The apparel merchandising and product development program has reserved the Union Theatre (ARKU 424) with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome and it's free, but tickets are required and must be picked up in advance. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Tickets can be picked in the Human Environmental Sciences Building from faculty members Dede Hamm (Room 122), Stephanie Hubert (Room 213) or Kathy Smith (Room 216) during the day on Tuesday and Wednesday. The event includes electronic communication with Allen before the show airs. The theater has seating for 247 and tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Allen, who is from Fort Smith, is a pattern maker and computer-aided designer for Understated Leather, which sells to Free People, Urban Outfitters and Revolve, and a fashion and CAD designer for a womenswear brand based in Los Angeles. Allen created her own brand, Brittany Nicole, which has been rebranded Brittany Allen, a namesake clothing brand. She also teaches fashion design at a local institution in Austin, Texas.

Her designs have been featured in Women's Wear Daily, and worn by celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Jon Bon Jovi.

Project Runway is an Emmy-winning competition series with 16 designers competing for a $250,000 grand prize, a feature in ELLE magazine, mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and more.

The show features host Karlie Kloss, mentor Christian Siriano, and judges Nina Garcia, Brandon Maxwell and Elaine Walteroth. Guest judges throughout the season include singer Cyndi Lauper, actress Laverne Cox, comedian Leslie Jones, Olympian Lindsey Vonn, actress Rachel Brosnahan, fashion designer Thom Browne, artist Ashley Longshore and fashion stylist Marni Senofonte, among others.

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. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

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 2.7 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.