Introducing the UO Summer Class of 2021 HBCU Capsule Collection, designed by the five students of our internship and mentorship program in collaboration with three HBCUs: Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, and North Carolina A&T State University.

From concept to creation, these five students worked with the UO Buying team to design a 24-piece apparel and lifestyle collection celebrating the culture and community of their respective schools. “Being able to share our resources with HBCU talent, and to work alongside these students creatively as they developed their own product, made Summer Class enriching not only for our students, but for every UO employee who got to be a part of the program,” says Dalila Shannon, UO Women’s Divisional Merchandising Manager and Summer Class Mentor.

Below, we speak with U'lia Hargrove, one of the selected five students currently attending North Carolina A&T State University, to discuss the designs and find out how the project came to life.

Photos by Bre Johnson

U’LIA HARGROVE - NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY

Where did you go to school? What made you decide to apply to your school?

I attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I decided to attend A&T because I was set on attending an HBCU rather than a PWI. Considering that my sister attended A&T and had a great experience at an HBCU I decided to also attend the same university. I had the mindset that an HBCU would be able to provide me with a safe and welcoming environment that I was interested in being in. So far, attending an HBCU has been the best decision I’ve ever made.



Can you tell us about your design process? What made you create what you did?

Before sitting down to even start the design process I knew that I wanted the garment to highlight all the qualities of A&T I love, which includes the colors, logos, slogans, and energy. I created a look that every student, alumni, parent or individual would be proud to wear. These pieces can be worn interchangeably with anything else in their closet so it’ll give individuals the freedom to style the pieces anyway they desire.



What was it like creating something so unique for your school? How did you feel when you finally saw your finished designs?

Having the opportunity to create something so special and unique for my university feels absolutely amazing. All of the pent up excitement and anticipation finally came to light when I got the opportunity to see the pieces I designed for the first time. Throughout the time I was waiting for the samples to arrive I was very nervous. However, when I got to see the samples for the first time I was in absolute awe and I couldn’t even remember why I was nervous in the first place.



What’s your favorite or funniest or most exciting memory from this whole experience?

My favorite memory from the entire experience had to be the photoshoots that I participated in. I had the opportunity to be in my first photoshoot while I was at URBN. It may seem very odd to have this as a fond memory, but being in a photoshoot for the first time helped grow my confidence in front of a camera. Also, having the chance to be shot in the merchandise that I designed felt pretty amazing and surreal.



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To see more from U'lia, follow her on Instagram!