When most people think about fashion, they think of modeling, designing and wearing clothes — simple as that. But in reality, there are many more behind-the-scenes careers nestled within this sizeable field.

On campus, I-Style is the only Registered Student Organization devoted to the business, marketing, advertising, and other similar jobs lurking behind the silk curtains of the fashion world.

“We really try to educate students in any major about careers in the fashion world,” said Catherine Taich, junior in LAS and founder of I-Style. “We just try to focus each meeting on a different profession … we want to try to give a holistic feel to some of the professions in (the fashion industry).”

Every week, Taich strives to pinpoint a different facet of the fashion business. I-Style spotlights the details of the diverse assortment of jobs in public relations, designing, writing, editing, styling and more.

“In the past year or so, the number of fashion-related resources on this campus has really expanded,” said Emily Cleary, senior in Media and president of Her Campus Illinois. “It’s a really exciting time for U of I students interested in pursuing careers in the fashion industry.”

I-Style, formerly known as The Business of Style, has been around since last year. It didn’t officially become an RSO until last semester, though.

“I think that since it is a relatively new RSO, that it has so much more room to grow positively,” said Carly Neville, senior in FAA and member of I-Style.

Not only does I-Style provide students interested in fashion with a medium for discussion, it also offers networking opportunities to its members.

Since many students on the executive board have taken part in fashion-related internships or know people who have, they can give other group members a chance as well. This is done through networking and the exchanging of ideas.

“A lot of brands and companies reach out to us,” Taich said. “They’ll contact me because they’ll go through the RSO office, and they’ll get the information for how to reach us. Over the years I’ve had so many internships … that I’ve developed connections with not just my internships, but people I know at other schools.”

In this web of networking, it also helps to be active on social network sites and blogs, so the members get together in “blogging parties” to document what they are doing and what they are interested in online.

“We really try to stress social media, just helping students have these different social media outlets,” Taich said.

It’s an important way to put your name out there and have the newest information and updates, she added.

I-Style also takes part in a different philanthropy each semester. In the past, the RSO collaborated with Rent the Runway and Her Campus Illinois to host a fashion show and the Perfect Prom Project, a venture to distribute gently used prom dresses to girls who would otherwise not be able to buy them.

“They do a whole boutique show, trunk show (and) give the girls an opportunity to come in and try on the dresses to find the one they want,” said Neville, who is also in charge of I-Style philanthropy.

I-Style has fundraising events throughout the year, whether it’s making and selling DIY projects or raising awareness for a fashion-related organization, the group members pitch in to donate to the causes they see fit.

Cleary is also the project manager of College Fashion Week at the University, and she says that these fashion groups and RSOs — I-Style, Her Campus Illinois, College Fashion Week and others — are regularly in the practice of collaborating with each other.

For College Fashion Week this coming April, Taich, Neville and the other members of I-Style are planning more events, including publishing a newsletter after Spring Break.

Until then, I-Style is always accepting new members, and anyone who is interested can contact the group via [email protected].