MSU ACCESS senior partners with local boutique, NYC-based clothing line for limited-edition Hail State design
Contact: Mary Pollitz
STARKVILLE, Miss.—For Allie Simmons, Mississippi State felt like home the moment she stepped on campus. Now, the MSU 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 “Hail State Bandana” collection. The exclusive lineup, featuring two dresses, tops and a scarf, features Simmons’ 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.
“I’m just excited,” she said. “I cannot believe they chose me to design it. I am so honored.”
In honor of Simmons’ and the brand’s passion for service, 10% of proceeds from every purchase will benefit MSU’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, where Simmons previously completed an internship as a teacher’s assistant and front desk staffer.
Simmons story with the “Hail State Bandana” 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.
“What 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,” Laura said. “Seeing Allie’s 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.
“I get to watch the world see a little bit of what I’ve always seen in Allie,” Laura added.
When Mullins started following Simmons’ story and journey online, she felt an immediate connection.
“From the moment I started following Allie, I was drawn to her smile and joyful spirit,” she said. “When 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 MSU alumna Lauren Ann Cooper, owner of L.A. Green and long-time volunteer with the T.K. Martin Center.
“Knowing that Allie was an MSU ACCESS student and learning about Lauren Ann’s passion and heart for people with disabilities, I knew God had bigger plans for Alivia’s partnership with L.A. Green,” Mullins said. “It was the perfect match and timing.”
As a member of ZTA sorority and a senior in the university’s ACCESS program, MSU’s 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’s just excited about meeting those interested in her design and being a part of Mississippi State’s story.
“I am super grateful they chose me, and I just I can’t wait to show this wonderful design I made to others,” Simmons said.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters.