What do fashion students, the Women’s Resource Center of Greater Lansing and bras have in common? They were all elements in the In Her Cups fundraiser.
 
Eaton Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) fashion students designed bras for the In Her Cups auction at the Women’s Resource Center of Greater Lansing annual fundraiser on Oct. 17. Proceeds of the event provide services for women, including therapy, support groups, career counseling, professional clothing and legal clinics.
 
A few In Her Cups student participants, Kaylee Milner, Madi Osburn, Lydia Stevens and Thaosia Yang, discussed their inspirations and thoughts on the Eaton RESA Career Preparation Center fashion program.
 
Why did you volunteer to participate in the In Her Cups Fundraiser?
Milner: I participated in support of an excellent cause, which offered a whole new experience in art and teamwork.
 
Fashion student participants were asked to design bras for auction and draw inspiration from breast cancer patients—many focused on the struggles and triumphs of the disease. Fashion senior and Eaton RESA Fashion Advisory Committee representative, Madison Castle, designed the “winning” bra entry, which raised $190.
 
What inspired your design?
Yang: My bra inspiration was actually drawn from bucket lists and hospitals—two highly different subjects both put together to create a whole new kind of harmony.
 
What did your design mean to you?
Osburn: My design meant love, celebration, happiness and that you can still shine, even if you have or have had cancer.
 
Beyond exposing their fashion skills, students were able to reflect on the design experience from an emotional perspective, while showcasing their work beyond the classroom walls.  
 
What did you learn from this experience?
Milner: This experience made me realize that there are so many mediums to express fashion through and so many messages and points that can be made through them.
 
Osburn: I learned teamwork skills and how to make something that has a story that goes along with it—art with a purpose.
 
What did you hope to accomplish by participating in the fundraiser? Raising funds for this cause, exposure for your work, or other reasons? 
Milner: By participating, I hoped to make a meaningful piece that people could look at and think about cancer, living and life.
 
Stevens: I wanted to not only raise money, but also raise awareness.
 
Eaton RESA and the Career Preparation Center partner with Lansing Community College to offer career preparation programs, such as the fashion design program, to local high school students. Students of the Career Preparation Center go on to find employment, enter apprenticeship programs, transfer to Lansing Community College or transfer to a university.
 
What would you say to other students considering taking a fashion design class?
Milner: To any students thinking about taking the fashion design class, I would say to go for it! It has been a fantastic experience so far, and I've gotten to do a lot of what I love and learned about so many possibilities for life after graduation. Even if students don't plan on going into a fashion field, the experience they will gain is invaluable.
 
What made you choose to attend a CTE program?
Osburn: I wanted to earn some college credits early and have an interesting senior year. Being able to pick a class that is all about something I love is a great thing. It makes the days fun and interesting.
 
Students enrolled in the fashion program can earn up to 12 college credits. They gain professional experience and are introduced to both internship and apprenticeship opportunities.
 
Interested in the Easton RESA Career Preparation Center fashion program, or other professional prep programs? Visit eatonresa.org.
 
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