In their own words, meet Design and Merchandising graduate student Brittany Conroy and undergraduate DM student Isabella Occhionero, who are working with the Avenir Museum in 2017-18:

Brittany Conroy

My name is Brittany Conroy. I am currently working toward by Master of Science in Design and Merchandising here at CSU. The focus of my graduate work has been on functional apparel and product development. My ongoing thesis research is a case study that will analyze the fit and comfort of body armor. Prior to enrolling in Colorado State University’s graduate program, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Textile Design at Michigan State University. I worked in product design and development, and manufacturing for the soft goods industry for several years before returning to my education. I am grateful and excited to be part of the Department of Design and Merchandising. Museum work is a new aspect of the DM field for me. I’m excited to be learning about the care and study of the historic apparel and textiles in the collection. I am grateful to be learning from and working with everyone at the Avenir!

Isa Occhionero

My name is Isa Occhionero and I am from Littleton, Colorado. As a second-year student in the DM Apparel and Merchandising Program, I am concentrating on a degree in merchandising. I am very excited for my next three years at CSU. My passion lies with sustainable and ethical fashion. I’m also very interested with the upcycling fashion concept, which involves using pre-existing clothing, accessories or other items and restructuring them into new garments. I very happy to be working at the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising because I want as much exposure as possible to learning opportunities and resources related to my major. It’s an invaluable experience!

The Avenir Museum is part of the Department of Design and Merchandising in CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.