Student/Alumni Profiles

Meet Christalle Bodiford
B.F.A. in Fashion Marketing and Design

AIU Buckhead Fashion Marketing & Design student Christalle Bodiford used to get intimidated by the thought of entering competitions. But that was before she won first place (out of 600 entries) in the menswear category at Fashion Group International's annual collegiate design competition. Now there's nothing that can intimidate her.

"Normally, I'd stay away from competitions because they're so intimidating, but one of my AIU professors, Ms. Green, really encouraged me to do the FGI competition. Then I won, and now I have no problems entering competitions. That first one was a huge boost of confidence."

[Another school] only had plain Fashion Design and no Fashion Marketing at all. Getting a degree in Fashion seemed pointless to me if there wasn't the marketing to go with the design. Having both design and marketing sets you up for so much more. AIU Buckhead has both. - Christalle Bodiford, B.F.A. in Fashion Marketing and Design

Christalle and two other AIU Buckhead students who also entered the competition went to New York City for the awards ceremony. (Christalle didn't yet know she had won.) In addition to designer Michael Kors presenting Christalle with a plaque and a $2,500 scholarship, the group got to visit fashion exhibits and listen to guest lecturers speak about how to make it in the fashion industry.

Although obviously already a success in fashion-having this competition win on her résumé opens the doors to a host of job opportunities-Christalle didn't start out in Fashion or even at AIU Buckhead.

After graduating from high school, Christalle enrolled in a famous Georgia art and design school. She studied graphic design for two-and-a-half years there before realizing fashion was her true calling. "But [that school] only had plain Fashion Design and no Fashion Marketing at all. Getting a degree in Fashion seemed pointless to me if there wasn't the marketing to go with the design. Having both design and marketing sets you up for so much more. AIU Buckhead has both."

Christalle has found that AIU is a better school for her for other reasons as well. "At [the other school], the professors didn't teach me, but just showed me. It seemed they didn't really care if I grasped the concept. At AIU, teachers work with you to make sure you get it; they'll go over something as many times as you need. And I don't ever think I would have gotten to encouragement to enter the FGI competition at the other school. For someone as driven as I am, AIU is just better all around."

Learn more about Fashion Marketing and Design degree!