Plans are underway to bring a state-of-the-art fashion and design facility to the University of Alabama campus.

AU’s College of Environmental Humanities plans to build Drummond Lyon Hall, which will house its fashion retail and apparel design program.

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Construction of the Colonial Drive building is expected to begin in the fall, pending final approval from the AU board of directors.

The building is named after Terri Drummond Lyon, a 1986 graduate of UA, in honor of her support of the project.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to provide our students with the best resources and facilities to create their path to success in fashion and design,” Lyon said in a press release. “I am honored to be one of many answering the call to support CHES and the university, and to help drive their vision for the future of the apparel program and textiles from design to reality.

The 25,000 square foot building will be part of a hub at the College of Human Environmental Sciences, which will include nearby Adams and Doster halls.

Once construction is complete, the new fashion and design facility will house the Fashion Archive, which is a collection of clothing and textiles throughout history, as well as a conservation laboratory, exhibition galleries, two state-of-the-art classrooms, flexible space for receptions or conferences. and offices for fashion retail and clothing design faculty.

The project was made possible by raising $4 million in charitable donations with support from AU alumni, the College of Human Environmental Sciences Board of Trustees and other supporters .

“The university is grateful for the philanthropy of alumni and friends, especially Terri Drummond Lyon for her such meaningful investment in the lives of our students,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “Our students deserve the best facilities where they can hone their talents and prepare for successful careers after graduation. This new building for our fashion and design programs will provide the exceptional experience necessary for our students to thrive.

UA said the facility will stand out from the apparel design and fashion merchandising programs offered at other schools in the Southeastern Conference. The facility will have dedicated apparel curation spaces and spaces for hands-on learning and hosting symposium-style events for the fashion and retail industries.

“We have no doubt that upon completion, Drummond Lyon Hall will take our exceptional clothing and textiles program to even greater heights,” said Stuart Usdan, Dean of the College of Environmental Humanities. “It has the potential to open minds to new experiences and influence students, alumni, researchers and entrepreneurs in a variety of fields, from fashion to marketing and history…creating leaders who make a difference in our world.”

Contact Jasmine Hollie at [email protected]