After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Merchandising Eagles took to the skies for study tours to New York City and Europe. Led by Associate Dean, Dr. Tammy Kinley, the New York study tour brought students to the Big Apple to learn from alumni and industry leaders in the heart of the largest city in the country. One of the biggest highlights was meeting with Louis Vuitton Americas President and CEO AND UNT Merchandising alumna, Lanessa Elrod as she hosted students at the Louis Vuitton offices. Other companies visited included Fossil Group, Centric Brands, UNIQLO, and Calvin Klein – where they met with another UNT Merchandising Alum, Eduardo Sanchez.

Led by Dr. Sanjukta Pookulangara and accompanied by Dean Jana Hawley, the European Study tour launched in Dublin Ireland with an incredible food tour and visits to Waterford Crystals, Native Denim, and Avoca Mills. Then it was off to sweet Paris where they took in the Musee du Parfum, the Louvre, and the Chateau de Versailles. Back across the channel, they went to London where our students learned from Sans Soucie Textile + Design, Walker Slater’s tailoring shop, The Truman Brewery, and Dame Zandra Rhodes’ Studio.

Both New York and Europe were incredible visits that included culture and experiential learning from alumni and industry leaders and were experiences of a lifetime for our students.