By Alice Adams
Mporio: Every term, the team designs, photographs, and markets a set of merchandise to honor the program students. This year’s team is excited to make their mark on fashion and Red Fox history with new, press-themed streetwear.
The student designers behind the collection sat down for an interview on the creative process. Jennifer Cabrera, a global marketing and communications major with a minor in graphic design, who transferred in from the brand’s Poughkeepsie campus, is bringing in knowledge and experience of the New York fashion scene, as well as artistic and design brilliance. Ainsley Walter, also a third-year, studies fashion and digital media, with experience in brand development and clothing design. Meanwhile, first-year business major Troy Tucker captains the business side of the brand, as well as website and graphic design, improving the accessibility and interface of the customer experience.
Through the end of this weekend, past designs can be purchased during the shop’s Black Friday Sale, accessible here.
Below, the Mporio team discusses the mission behind the unique makeup of their Fall 2024 line, ‘Hot Off the Press.’
How did the Mporio team conceive of this year’s theme, Hot Off the Press?
Jennifer: We wanted something that would spread the news, something that would get people really excited and involved, and also something that had tangible aspects, like print news. We wanted it to have real campaign elements.
Ainsley: I think people respond well to something that they can be a part of, something interactive. Since the theme is newspaper, we can actually give them a newspaper. They’re part of a campaign, and it can be used as a prop, too.
Jennifer: We wanted to create our own symbol related to our theme, so we came up with something with newspaper elements and the Duomo, and made it look like it was printed on a newspaper press.
What is Mporio’s mission?
Troy: Our mission right now is to create a timeless fashion piece inspired by a printing press.
Ainsley: We wanted a timeless piece that can be worn more than just college merch, even years after you graduate. Not everyone wants to be loudly blaring their college symbol. If it’s done in the right way, it can be subtle enough that it looks really stylish and still has the spirit of the school.
Jennifer: Marist College has a huge merch line and lots of representation, but the Marist Italy program is a small group of students, and we want to make sure that we have a special support and good representation.
Describe a day in the life of a merch designer.
Ainsley: It’s really just throwing, throwing, throwing things out there, and seeing what sticks. Getting people’s opinions and connecting with the audience. It’s a lot of trial and error, and it’s nice that we get to create art as well as our work.
Which pieces are you guys excited to support from this year’s new merch line?
Ainsley: I’m excited for the rugby shirt because it’s more of a fashionable piece. It’s more than just a t-shirt. I’m excited, I think it’ll look good with a skirt.
Troy: I’m hyped for the red zip-up.
Jennifer: I’m excited about the baby tee and the relaxed tee because of our special symbol that we designed this year. I’m excited to show that to the world.
What do you think sets Mporio apart from other school stores?
Jennifer: It’s truly student-run. We have an interesting perspective on what the customers are going to want, and we’re allowed to have creative freedom with the designs. It’s not just the classic designs we have to stick to.
Troy: We get to introduce a lot of new designs to the table. Especially with this collection. It’s not like some shirts, where once you’re done with college, throw it in the closet and maybe give it to your kids someday. No – these are hopefully going to be pieces you could sport for a while after college. That’s the main goal.
Jennifer: We’re really excited to show this to the world. We’ve been working really hard on this and this campaign. We think it’s really unique, and we’re excited to see it out there. The word is on the street!
Interviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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