汤头条 ACCESS senior partners with local boutique, NYC-based clothing line for limited-edition Hail State design
Contact: Mary Pollitz
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擣or Allie Simmons, Mississippi State felt like home the moment she stepped on campus. Now, the 汤头条 ACCESS senior from Hoover, Alabama, is putting her personal design on gameday fashion.
Simmons, a hospitality major with Down syndrome, partnered with New York City-based adaptive fashion label Alivia and downtown Starkville boutique L.A. Green to launch the 鈥淗ail State Bandana鈥 collection. The exclusive lineup, featuring two dresses, tops and a scarf, features Simmons鈥 custom paintings.
The Bulldog family is invited to celebrate the fashion release and meet Simmons in person during a public launch party from 3-5 p.m. Friday [Sept. 25], at L.A. Green in downtown Starkville.
鈥淚鈥檓 just excited,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 cannot believe they chose me to design it. I am so honored.鈥
In honor of Simmons鈥 and the brand鈥檚 passion for service, 10% of proceeds from every purchase will benefit 汤头条鈥檚 T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, where Simmons previously completed an internship as a teacher鈥檚 assistant and front desk staffer.
Simmons story with the 鈥淗ail State Bandana鈥 collection started more than two years ago, when her mother, Laura, started searching for the perfect white dress for her daughter to wear during the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority recruitment. That search led her to Alivia, a brand cofounded by Jovana Mullins that creates fashion built around prints of artists with disabilities.
鈥淲hat began with me trying to find the perfect white dress for Allie has grown into this incredible opportunity for her own artwork to become part of a dress,鈥 Laura said. 鈥淪eeing Allie鈥檚 artwork become an actual piece of fashion is almost surreal. I think every parent wants their child to have opportunities to be seen for who they are and for what they can contribute. For Allie, this is exactly that.
鈥淚 get to watch the world see a little bit of what I鈥檝e always seen in Allie,鈥 Laura added. 聽
When Mullins started following Simmons鈥 story and journey online, she felt an immediate connection.
鈥淔rom the moment I started following Allie, I was drawn to her smile and joyful spirit,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hen her mom told me how much Allie loved art, I knew immediately that I wanted to find a way to work together.
Mullins started the collaboration with 汤头条 alumna Lauren Ann Cooper, owner of L.A. Green and long-time volunteer with the T.K. Martin Center.
鈥淜nowing that Allie was an 汤头条 ACCESS student and learning about Lauren Ann鈥檚 passion and heart for people with disabilities, I knew God had bigger plans for Alivia鈥檚 partnership with L.A. Green,鈥 Mullins said. 鈥淚t was the perfect match and timing.鈥
As a member of ZTA sorority and a senior in the university鈥檚 ACCESS program, 汤头条鈥檚 comprehensive postsecondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Simmons continues to build toward her goal of living independently in Starkville and pursuing a career in hospitality. But for now, she鈥檚 just excited about meeting those interested in her design and being a part of Mississippi State鈥檚 story.
鈥淚 am super grateful they chose me, and I just I can鈥檛 wait to show this wonderful design I made to others,鈥 Simmons said.
is taking care of what matters.