Fall 2024 Homecoming was an eventful, week-long celebration of UNCG’s community! An integral component of Homecoming is the Homecoming Royal Court, which provides dedicated students the opportunity to represent the University during Homecoming festivities. This year, one of our very own CARS students, Grace McTigue, was chosen to serve on the Homecoming Royal Court, along with seven fellow UNCG students.
Grace is a senior majoring in CARS, with a concentration in Retail Consumer Studies. She is also part of the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) and is working towards a Master of Science in Retail Studies, while completing her undergraduate degree. Additionally, Grace participates in both CARS student organizations, where she serves as the Co-President of THREADS and is a part of the leadership board for the National Retail Federation Student Association (NRSFA).
Each student on the Homecoming Royal Court goes through a competitive application process and is required to develop a community service project. The project provides a fantastic opportunity for students to make a lasting impact during their undergraduate career!
“I plan to focus my community service project on connecting UNCG’s Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (CARS) department with local DECA chapters across the Triad Region. My goal is to bridge the gap between high school students interested in fashion and retail by creating a “Spartan Buddy” mentorship system, where CARS students would guide DECA members. This program would offer high school students’ insights into life at UNCG, attending campus events and participating in fashion-related activities. It’s a great way to foster early connections, promote higher education, and showcase UNCG as a top option for fashion studies,” says Grace McTigue.
Grace is proud to have served alongside her peers and plans to pursue her community service project beginning in Spring 2025!
Grace mctigue
“I am truly honored to be a member of UNC Greensboro’s 2024 Homecoming Royal Court. I feel blessed to attend a university that fosters a servant’s heart and gives students the chance to pursue their passions alongside an incredible community. Thank you to everyone who voted for me — your love and support mean the world and never go unnoticed!”
Historic costume collection talk
The Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies Department kicked off Homecoming by hosting a Historic Costume Collection Talk for current students and UNCG alumni! The Talk consisted of an oral presentation and a walk-through of various archived pieces in the CARS clothing collection.
Department Head, Dr. Nancy Hodges, began the presentation by discussing the rich history of the CARS program. Formerly known as State Normal and Industrial School, UNCG offered sewing in the Domestic Science Program. Twenty-five years later, in 1917 the university launched the Department of Clothing and Textiles and Housing, now known as the Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies Department. By 1940, the costume collection was created from a textile donation and has been evolving since!
Costume Collection Mission Statement:
The mission of the Historic Clothing Collection is threefold:
- To support teaching for the benefit of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members. The costumes are used as examples of design and construction, textile design, and the social and cultural components of dress from the past.
- A research tool for use by students, faculty, scholars, and industry members interested in the study of dress in history.
- Although it is not a collection for display and/or exhibition, it is a resource used for sharing knowledge of historic dress with members of the community.
The collection features 18th-20th century American apparel from the southeast and includes a variety of ethnic pieces and accessories. The collection comprises women’s attire and some children’s and men’s clothing. The oldest piece in the collection is a wedding dress from the late 1700s.
There is even a subcollection of pieces worn by Dr. Anna Marie Gove who was one of the first physicians of her time. She was the school physician and professor at the State Normal and Industrial School until the mid-1900s.
The CARS Department was pleased to share the Historic Costume Collection with the UNCG community during this year’s Homecoming. The Talk serves as a way for attendees to immerse themselves in historic fashion and connect with CARS faculty and staff!
We thank our speaker and department head, Dr. Nancy Hodges, and those who attended and look forward to hosting a session at next year’s Homecoming!
We are accepting donations of items that are relevant to the collection and in good condition. Please contact Nancy Hodges at njnelson@uncg.edu if you are interested in donating any artifacts.
Green rayon day dress, ca. 1940. Donor: Coxe.Green and blue floral silk print dress, ca. 1955. Donor: Brady. Navy and white striped sleeveless Givenchy dress, ca. 1966. Donor: deMartini
Hand-painted wool felt cloche hat, ca. 1927. Donor: Hass. Navy straw women’ hat with velvet bow, Montaldo’s, ca. 1950 Donor: Lowe.Red suede peep-toe pumps, ca. 1949. Donor: Street. Black silk pumps with rhinestone trimmed straps, ca. 1925. Donor: Cunningham. Red and blue leather platform heels, ca. 1973. Donor: Keffer
Story Written by Lily Kamiab, CARS Department
