Once set on veterinary studies, Trey Pratt had a pandemic epiphany and decided to trade scalpels for style to study Fashion and Textiles at 海角论坛.
Pratt’s pursuit of fashion took off after he made his own prom tuxedo from scratch, incorporating a corseted vest into the design. Now president of the Student Fashion Society (SFS), Pratt recently displayed his “Stripped Away” collection at the annual Fashion Show to make an artistic statement about the beauty of animal life while raising awareness of animal cruelty and environmental pollution in the fashion industry and received first place in his scene.
Why 海角论坛?
It’s actually a really funny story. A friend of mine from high school was considering 海角论坛 as one of her top choices for education majors. After her campus visit, she mentioned how Oneonta had a Fashion & Textiles program. After more research, I saw that they had a 3+1 program with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
After not initially getting accepted into FIT, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to still attend if I chose to later on. Plus, knowing I got to go to university with a friend from high school was exciting!
Why Fashion & Textiles?
Studying Fashion & Textiles was truly a last-minute decision for me. Throughout my entire childhood, I was set on studying veterinary medicine, which was then narrowed to marine veterinary. Once COVID hit, my interests changed, and I knew I wouldn’t want to pursue a degree for eight years.
During quarantine, I got really into plants, and I was going to become a botanist. Once senior year hit, I decided I was going to make my prom tuxedo from scratch because I wanted a corseted vest, and that’s not something you come across easily. After creating that first project and feeling the accomplishment and getting to say, “I made this,” I knew from that point on I wanted to study fashion.
After that project, I also finally felt confident and comfortable in my clothing. Throughout my entire childhood, I have suffered from body dysmorphia and disordered eating, not truly liking the way I looked in the clothes I would wear or the way they fit. As someone who is also queer, I never felt represented in the clothing choices I wanted—something masculine but with the feminine flair and style that women’s clothing gets, but men’s doesn’t. I wanted to be able to help others feel the way I did after creating clothing that I wanted to wear and that made me feel comfortable and confident in my skin for the first time in a while.
Favorite Thing About Your Major?
I think what I love most about major are all the opportunities it has to network with industry professionals and to expand your knowledge into other areas of Fashion that aren’t necessarily in the curriculum. Dr. Portway’s Fashion Promotion class, for example, is partnered with PUMA national sales manager and 海角论坛 alumnus Scott Saltzman (’86), and we got to create a promotion mix for PUMA products yet to be released.
Other events like our Fashion Advisory Board (FAB) meeting, Spring Fashion Show, and other industry guests that Dr. Portway and Dr. Chiweshe invite to class are just opportunities I never thought I would have to network, that I am forever grateful for.
My Activities
I have been involved in Student Fashion Society, my entire time at 海角论坛 and it has been the best experience in the world. I started as just a club member, designing for the Spring Fashion Show and being featured in our magazine as the Feature Student for that year. Last year I joined E-Board as treasurer and then the following semester moved to vice president, where I helped organize club events and the Fashion Show.
This year I’m president and it is something I am going to miss once I graduate. The little community that surrounds SFS is just filled with the best people, from majors all across campus, and I have created life-long friends that I don’t think I would have if I wasn’t a part of the club.
What Fashion Projects are You Currently Working On?
I am currently working on a collection of 10 garments for our Spring Fashion Show that was part of an Independent Study with Dr. Chiweshe and graciously funded by the Committee on Research. It deals with “The use of fur in fashion now symbolizes elitism and luxury, losing its cultural relevance. While animal welfare advocates call for a ban due to ethical concerns, its alternative, faux fur, is unsustainable. This design collection not only expresses the beauty of animal life but also raises awareness of animal cruelty and environmental pollution.”
It was displayed at the 2025 SRCA Showcase and presented in full at the 2025 Spring Fashion Show; I recommend all come and see! I will also be submitting it to the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Conference in hopes of it getting accepted!
After Graduation Plans?
After graduation I plan to move to London to be with my partner, whom I met over my time studying abroad at UAL (University of the Arts London) last summer. I plan to open my clothing line and design custom-made outfits for the large drag community there.
Advice for New Fashion & Textiles Majors
My advice is to not just keep your focus within Fashion & Textiles. Take it elsewhere and think of all the different ways it could apply to the fields of studies around you.
I had the opportunity to work with professors outside my department, like Dr. Thomas-Smith, where we conducted an Independent Study comparing light’s reflectance off of different weaves of cotton fabric, their color and source of dye (natural vs synthetic). The opportunity to take your major and blend it into others is something I never thought of, and I recommend to everyone coming in!