Student clarifies Fashion Haus article

Editor:

Speaking on behalf of the Fashion Haus club, as well as the club executives and advisor, I would like to address last week’s article entitled “An acid trip into fashion wonderland.” First and foremost, I would like to discuss the quality of journalism that was displayed for the SCAD population. I understand the importance of our nation’s First Amendment, freedom of the press; however, with that freedom comes responsibility. The responsibility that lies with the journalist is a great one. For a journalist to quote sources that were not contacted and present false information is careless and sloppy journalism. Furthermore, to take it upon one’s self to invent malicious information pertaining to a club’s signature event is not journalism at all, that is defined as libel.

Fashion Haus members have been working many months now on an event and fashion show called Wonderland. Wonderland, not Acid in Wonderland, has never had nor will ever have any association with the drug acid. Wonderland is a fashion show inspired by the novel “Alice in Wonderland,” and is to be reminiscent of a garden tea party. To even insinuate that the Fashion Haus club would do anything related to drugs is a horrible accusation. Journalists must remember that once an article is printed, the article takes on an eternal life of its own. Whether a retraction or letter of clarification is to be printed, the association of our club with drugs will never be forgotten. While reviewing the article, did the District editor-in-chief take into consideration that such an article could possibly have the Fashion Haus show pulled or canceled? That possibly he should speak with his journalist and clarify that all the information submitted was true? The repercussions of the article could have been devastating to members who have worked so diligently this year.

Also, I would like to note a lacking of professionalism. The photographer who attended the Fashion Haus jury show took pictures of garments and members without stating the paper’s name or purpose for the photography. If Fashion Haus had known the purpose of the photography, we would not have allowed any pictures to be taken. On behalf of the designers, models and show, Fashion Haus does not distribute any photography of the work until after the fashion show. I do not know of any professional paper that would send a photographer to an event not open to the press and then take pictures of students’ work without their consent.

Another clarification to the article should be noted pertaining to the “final collections.” In the last paragraph, the journalist states, “The show will feature works from the final collections of fashion students…” During the spring quarter, the fashion department showcases its seniors work through the annual Fashion Show. It is in this show, not the Fashion Haus show, where final collections are presented. Only individual, conceptual garments are presented in the Fashion Haus show.

Finally, an apology should be issued to our club adviser Carol Harris and club president Kari Herby. The inclusion of their names in the article was done so without their knowledge and could have been extremely detrimental to their reputations. In the future, District should advise its journalists to verify with their subjects whether or not including the person’s contact information is wanted.

Despite the problems and trouble, the “An acid trip into fashion wonderland” article has presented, the Fashion Haus show “Wonderland” will go on. The show is this Saturday, March 1 at 9 p.m.

Sincerely,
Jessica L. Thiergart
Fashion Haus Public Relations Liaison
Fashion / Third-year