Duffel bags in Cal Poly Green, striped joggers with phone straps, and minimalist designed T-shirts are in the works for AM², CPP’s Apparel Merchandising and Management (AMM) senior apparel production student brand since 2001.
Since the fall semester of 2018, senior apparel production students began discussing visions for the clothing line to launch in the bookstore April 29.
While the senior AMM apparel production capstone courses are an exciting hands-on opportunity for students, the courses come with guidelines.
“There’s a lot of restrictions especially coming up with designs and things we like,” fourth-year AMM apparel production student Alejandra Rios said. “We’re selling to our target market which is the whole campus community and a lot of them aren’t super fashion forward; they like to wear casual things they can wear every day.”
Inspired by sportswear and streetwear companies Nike and Adidas, the student-run clothing line attempts to combine comfort and style into designs fit for college students on the go.
“We wanted [products for] mostly on the go, as students we’re always on the go and people also work out at the same time so we thought how about a duffel bag as an accessory,” fourth-year AMM apparel production student Claudia Torres said.
Students designed a multipurpose duffel bag in Cal Poly Green which includes a convenient pocket on the front and a logo on the front pocket.
Only eight will be produced and six will be sold in the bookstore and the duffel bag is priced at $19.95.
When designing a clothing line for the bookstore, students couldn’t help but incorporate a basic and affordable clothing piece students can purchase; this inspired the design for a T-shirt. The tee includes a minimal design that reads “Cal Poly Pomona” in the school’s classic green and gold which is priced at $14.95.
While most of the clothing pieces are unisex, one exception are their striped square joggers.
With a lack of sweatpants for women, the AM²-designed joggers are tailored specifically for women and resemble some of Adidas’ garments.
They also include the unique addition of pocket straps for securing a phone and they are priced at $24.95.
“They [class members] also had an idea with Adidas; their brand is very known for the stripes on the side of the pants so they decided to do a bias take which is green — kind of like our Cal Poly colors on the sweatpants, so it kind of resembles Adidas athleisure,” Torres said.
A black athletic wear sweater with a green and gold Cal Poly logo is currently in the works and the logo has yet to be finalized.
According to Torres, the lightweight sweater is a result of California’s warm weather and is meant for everyday use. It will sell for $34.95, making it the most costly item of the clothing line.
Students had to manage their expectations in terms of what would be accepted for production.
CPP’s bookstore clothing buyer along with heavy market research determined what products would be produced, according to AMM assistant professor and instructor of apparel production courses, Saemee Lyu.
After a lengthy process of deciding which items would be produced, Torres is excited to see the products come to life.
“Sewing it feels like an accomplishment after seeing it [garments] made from raw fabric into its shape and becoming the final product,” Torres said.
Torres was tasked with finding the fabric for the garments and witnessed the garments go from an unshaped piece of cloth to wearable clothing.
Students of the senior apparel production courses are already receiving a real-world fashion industry experience with outsourcing, or producing part of a product internationally.
“Our team member will be flying to Guatemala to get our T-shirts screen printed … it’s cool to get an experience like that in school,” Torres said.
Students of the senior apparel production course are working hard to fundraise and spread the word of their clothing line, as the AMM department’s funds run scarce of production costs.
AM² students can be found tabling during U-Hour selling food such as pizza and drinks.
Students are also working on creating a presence at Mt. San Antonio College as many students transfer here and may be interesting in purchasing CPP gear, according to Torres.
For updates and photos of AM²’s clothing line, follow cpp_am2 on Instagram, or stop by its display in the second floor of the library and don’t forget to head to the bookstore April 29 to purchase student-designed CPP wear.
