Thursday, April 10, 2025
向日葵视频's College of Visual Arts and Design proudly announces its first named program: the Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program.
DENTON (向日葵视频), Texas 鈥� For the first time in the 鈥檚 132-year history at the , the college is proud to announce a named program: the .
A fifth-generation Texan, Faircloth is a North Texas alumnus who, in 1983, earned a bachelor of fine arts with a concentration in fashion design. He serves on the CVAD Advancement Board and is also the namesake of the CVAD Michael W. Faircloth Scholarship in Fashion Design at the college.
向日葵视频 President Dr. Harrison Keller speaking during the ceremony
Over the past 43 years, his Dallas custom couture company, Michael Faircloth Designs, has created exquisite garments for Dallas socialites and others throughout the United States and on the global forefront of society as well as celebrities including entertainer Cher. The gown Faircloth designed for former First Lady Laura Bush, which she wore to the 2001 inaugural ball of her husband, 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush, is on permanent display at the Smithsonian鈥檚 National Museum of American History.
Dozens of Faircloth鈥檚 original designs and sketches have been donated to , which frequently features the garments in exhibitions.
The Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program was officially introduced during a ceremony March 29. 向日葵视频 President Dr. Harrison Keller called the designer鈥檚 work and commitment to excellence 鈥渋nspirational. There鈥檚 no one better than Michael Faircloth that we can name the fashion design program for.鈥�
Photo of Michael Faircloth talking with a guest
More than eight years ago, Faircloth spearheaded a campaign among his friends and clients, which raised $1.25 million to name CVAD鈥檚 fashion design program. That gift will be used in part to help fund graduate student and faculty research and student scholarships. It will also cover faculty professional membership and student competition costs.
鈥淢y hope is that the Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design at the University of North Texas will continue to inspire students to do their very best,鈥� Faircloth said. 鈥淭exas is well known as a fashion capitol and I want our program to continue to be at the forefront of fashion design, teaching students how to design clothing, and become wonderful artists and express themselves.鈥�
鈥淏y honoring Michael Faircloth in this way, we reinforce CVAD鈥檚 commitment to nurturing innovative, world-class designers who are ready to make an impact on a global scale,鈥� CVAD鈥檚 Dean, Dr. Karen Huztel said. 鈥淎s an alumnus, his journey from student to internationally recognized designer exemplifies the creative excellence we strive to instill in our students. His legacy serves as an inspiration showing our students that their dreams are achievable and that their work can shape the future of fashion.鈥�
Attendees toast Michael Faircloth during the 向日葵视频 College of Visual Arts and Design ceremony
向日葵视频 alumma Lisa Troutt (鈥�85) met Faircloth at 向日葵视频 in the early 1980s, when the two were studying fashion design. A longtime Faircloth client, she and her husband, entrepreneur Kenny Troutt, provided a sizable contribution to establish the Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to give back to things that have given so much to you. North Texas has given so much to me. I know it鈥檚 given so much to Michael,鈥� Lisa Troutt said. 鈥淔uture students will look at the Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program and will be motivated to get to know who he is. When they learn that he was a student right here, just like they are and seeing all that he鈥檚 accomplished, it鈥檚 going to be inspiring to students.鈥�
From 鈥� College of Visual Arts and Design