Two years since winning design challenge, Emma Taylor helms RSO, wins Abloh award

Back in April 2023, IU sophomore Emma Taylor was all over Instagram when guard Tyrese Haliburton wore her standout design for his tunnel walk at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Since that big break, Emma has continued to garner distinctions, including the Fashion Scholarship Fund’s 2025 Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship. Now, in her senior year at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design completing a dual degree in merchandising and fashion design, Emma has taken on a major leadership role as President of the Retail Studies Organization (RSO), one of IU’s largest student organizations.  

This week, RSO will be convening another "Fashion Within Sports" panel, the networking and education event that connected Emma with the opportunity to design for Tyrese two years ago. Helmed again by Merchandising alum Dan Solomon (B.S. ‘17), the panel’s celebrity guest model this year is Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith. Taking place Tuesday, February 25, in the IMU Whittenberger Auditorium, the panel will also feature [IU basketball player] Trey Galloway and Vic Garcia, who's both a designer and an artist. The public session runs from 6 to 7 p.m., with small group breakouts in which students can ask more in-depth questions and participate in the design competition. 

Forough: That sounds exciting! For those of us outside the merchandising or fashion design world, can you explain how that design competition works? 

Emma: Absolutely. First, Dan and Aaron will be there to listen to student pitches. Each participant will present their design concept, what they created, how they came up with it, and why they think it fits Aaron's personal style. After reviewing every design, Dan will follow up in a couple of weeks to announce the winner. Whoever is chosen gets to actually produce the garment, and then Aaron will wear it during a home game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The student will also be able to attend the game and see the athlete wear their outfit. 

I was lucky enough to win the competition in my sophomore year when I created an outfit for Tyrese Haliburton. He was injured at the time and ended up wearing it throughout the entire game, which definitely gave my work some extra exposure. I had fashion-focused social media accounts reaching out for interviews, and it helped me understand the growing industry of fashion within sports. It's an exciting, relatively new frontier. Some people don't realize how much attention athletes' tunnel walks and off-court style get, but it's a big deal. 

Forough: Two years after this major opportunity, you are again involved in Fashion Within Sports event, but this time as president of RSO. Please tell us how you became interested in this role.  

Emma: I joined the RSO as a regular member during my first year; our classes encouraged us to get involved. I started going to events, met many great people, and realized there was so much going on behind the scenes. Then, in my junior year, I got the chance to be Co-Director of the Forum and Spring Panel, which mostly involved smaller tasks like organizing schedules or putting together gift baskets. But seeing how much planning it takes to pull off successful events was eye-opening. By junior year, I knew I could do a lot more, so when I saw the presidency was opening up for my senior year, I thought, "Why not go for it?" I wanted to keep building my leadership and communication skills. This role has helped me grow and has given me a chance to learn a lot about coordinating major projects and working closely with others. 

Forough: That's great, but it's also a significant time commitment, especially when juggling schoolwork. How has taking on the presidency impacted your overall college experience, academically and socially? 

Emma: It's made me much more aware of how I spend my time. I rely heavily on to-do lists and detailed planning now. This position has really sharpened my time-management skills and taught me how to prioritize. I've learned how to break down my day to ensure I cover my responsibilities while still making space for my friends and enjoying my senior year. Balancing it all has definitely been challenging at times, but it's also been incredibly rewarding. 

Forough: What advice did your predecessor give you when you stepped into this role? 

Emma: When I stepped into the presidency, my predecessor and I didn't know each other too well; our paths had only briefly crossed when I was Co-Director of the Forum and Spring Panel. She wished me good luck and left behind some really helpful notes in our shared Google Drive that I've referenced often. One of the most valuable pieces of advice was to make sure I still enjoy myself while managing the organization. It's easy to let the workload take over, but prioritizing my own well-being has been key to staying motivated and effective. 

Forough: What was the event that you were most proud of organizing?  

Emma: We've had a packed schedule this semester, with ten events in the spring, with two hosted on Zoom. Out of all of them, I'd say my favorite was Forum. We invited representatives from Michael Kors, 12 NYC, American Eagle, and Ulta, and the conversations were incredibly informative. It was open to all IU students, so we had a broad turnout and a lively Q&A. We also got the chance to go to dinner afterward, which was a great way to connect more personally with the speakers. One even became my mentor, and I'm still in touch with her. 

Forough: It seems like students get a lot of opportunities to build connections during their studies here at Eskenazi. How has that played into your own experience? 

Emma: Connections are huge. I've been job-hunting for after graduation, and I still go back to notes I took at RSO events my freshman year or conversations I've had on LinkedIn. You never know who might remember you, whether it's someone who visited IU once or an alum you chatted with at a career fair. I think it helps to stay in touch and be genuine about your interests; you never know where it might lead. Building and maintaining relationships does take effort. The fashion industry is surprisingly interconnected; everyone seems to know each other, and that can definitely work in your favor if you keep those connections alive.  

Since winning the FSF (Fashion Scholarship Fund) scholarship and Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship Fund, I've been looking for a post-grad job, and the FSF board has been amazing at connecting me to people and companies I wouldn't have known otherwise. 

Forough: Congratulations! How did it feel to be a part of the Abloh legacy, and has it impacted your plans or career outlook? 

Emma: It was completely surreal. I was really hoping to win, but it still felt unreal when I got the news. I was with friends, and it was like a movie moment of pure excitement. Being recognized by the scholarship, which specifically acknowledges diversity, has opened up so many doors I never knew existed. It underscores that not everyone has the same access to opportunities, especially for people of color, and while I do think the fashion industry is naturally inclusive, there's still progress to be made. 

My winning case study focused on Torrid and suggested that the brand use the 3D Look app to create a maternity line, allowing mothers to virtually "try on" clothing throughout their trimesters. Working on such a detailed case study also gave me a new level of expertise. I can confidently discuss my research, the proposed creative solutions, and how to apply inclusivity to real-world challenges. Employers have taken notice of this project, too, which has expanded my professional possibilities even further. Overall, it's been a transformative experience, both personally and for my future career in fashion. 

Forough: Can you walk me through how you developed your concept and who helped you along the way? 

Emma: Sure. I chose to focus on Torrid, a plus-size women's brand, because of my personal experience shopping there with my mom, who was plus-size while I was growing up. I noticed how frustrating it was for her to find clothes that fit well and still looked stylish. I ended up proposing a maternity line called New Life that uses the 3D Look app. Basically, the idea is that expectant mothers could upload photos of themselves throughout their pregnancy, and 3D Look would predict how their body shape would change and then recommend the right size and style. I wanted to address that gap in the market for plus-size, pregnant customers, an often overlooked group. 

I had a lot of faculty support, especially since my FSF project built on what I learned in previous classes. Professors Deb Christiansen, Lori Frye, and Jessica Quirk were incredibly helpful, as were Professor Pearson, Professor Maurer, and Professor White on the merchandising side. I also reached out to some RSO alums for feedback, including two-time FSF winner Kev Addison and past RSO president Olivia Baker. Their insights really strengthened my final submission. 

Forough: As a first-generation college student, what has this journey been like for you?  

Emma: It's been interesting. My mom knew I loved design, but I don't think she fully grasped what studying fashion design and merchandising in college meant. She never went to college, so sometimes she might not understand exactly what I do on campus. But she's been really supportive and so has my entire family. 

The biggest gap is that they haven't experienced college firsthand, so there's a bit of a disconnect. They encourage me and cheer for my success without necessarily knowing the day-to-day challenges and triumphs. But I've always been independent, so figuring things out on my own hasn't felt too daunting. I'm really grateful I get to be here and have these opportunities. 

Forough: What is your plan for after graduation? 

Emma: Yeah, I'm still in the interviewing process, so looking into different roles throughout the country. I'm not set on a location, but my goal is to be a buyer. I'm really interested in buying, and that's what my position was over the summer too, during my merchandising internship at Lids in Indianapolis. I had such a great time there and I learned so much.  

My design background, as well, really gives me the knowledge to look at a product and understand how it would sell to the consumer. I eventually want to work my way up into the product development sector too.  

Overall, with my dual degree and my concentration in Product Development, it's been fascinating to explore the psychology behind consumer behavior and the growing importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry. Being a senior has been busy and fulfilling as I bring all these experiences together. 

Forough: Thank you for joining us today, Emma. It is really great to have the chance to get your perspective on your time at IU.