Fashion Industry & Merchandising at Drexel University

🎓🎓Congratulations FIM Class of 2026! Graduation June 12th @ Mann Center.
🎓🎓

Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors for showcasing the creativity, innovation, and hard work that define the future of the fashion industry!
A special congrats to our senior speakers, Madison-Jade Bishop and Emme Serafino , for sharing their inspiring journeys and reflections. We would also like to thank our distinguished alumni speaker, Junyi Chen , for returning to share valuable industry insights with the next generation of fashion professionals.
We are so proud of everything the Class of 2026 has accomplished and cannot wait to see what comes next! 💙💛🐉

Merry Go Round: A Circular Ecosystem for Philadelphia’s Fashion & Art Assets
Senior Capstone by Hala Idrees

How can a circular, non-profit resource-sharing platform reduce financial barriers for emerging Philadelphia creatives while increasing the ‘cultural capital’ of local small brands?

This project proposes a circular community network in cities where artists, stylists, and residents exchange resources—such as clothing, decor, and fine art—to fuel creative production. By removing the financial barriers of the traditional “buy-to-use” model, we foster a self-sustaining ecosystem built on mutual exposure.

See more of Hala Idrees’ work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

Print vs Digital Fashion Magazines: Editorial Shifts
Senior Capstone by Zetta Megenhardt

How do editorial approaches across print and digital platforms in fashion
magazines affect Gen Z’s interpretation and adoption of fashion trends?

Physical fashion magazines have long marked fashion’s biggest moments, from iconic
covers to the hundreds of images in each issue capturing the spirit of a season. These
pages serve as time capsules of style and culture. But as the industry shifts, will these
snapshots of the present become digital images, endlessly scrolled past?

See more of Zetta Megenhardt’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

What the Wedding Dress Means Today: A Study of Emotion, Identity, and Consumer Behavior
Senior Capstone by Odelya Kalmanofsky

This thesis examines how modern brides select wedding dresses as one-time emotional and aesthetic investments, arguing that these choices reveal early indicators of changing cultural values within the U.S. bridal market.

Using interviews with women married between the 1950s and 1980s and surveys from 30 Anthropologie Weddings brides in Philadelphia, the research identifies a clear generational shift. Earlier brides often emphasized familial connection, or cultural norms when selecting a dress, while today’s brides prioritize identity, recognition, and symbolism.

Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking

*RSVP at linktree in bio.

The Psychology of Scarcity: How limited edition drops affect consumer demand
Senior Capstone by Olivia Zimmerman

In a market increasingly shaped by exclusivity, rapid releases, and hype cycles, this research investigates how scarcity marketing influences consumer demand, emotional responses, and value perception. Using qualitative literature, quantitative surveys, and case studies, this project establishes an understanding on the behavioral responses created by scarcity.

The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to explore and measure how scarcity cues, social media influence, and surprise-based collectibility affect consumer motivation in order to better understand the psychological drivers behind scarcity-based marketing.

See more of Olivia Zimmerman’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

Day of Beauty with Women of Hope Vine
Senior Capstone by Kadence McCalla

A Day of Beauty with Women of Hope Vine is an event meant to empower the women who reside in this Philadelphia women’s shelter and have battled with hardships like homelessless, mental illness, and personal tragedy. This event is meant to make them feel special, pampered, and confident to see their inner beauty truly reflected on the outside.

The objective of my thesis is to investigate how a community-driven event focused on accessible beauty experiences can serve as a tool of empowerment for multicultural women in Philadelphia that are living with systemic barriers. To accomplish that, I am partnering with Woman of Hope Vine, a women’s shelter in Philadelphia, to host a Day of Beauty event for the women housed in the shelter that includes beauty services and customized gift bags.

See more of Kadence McCalla’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.