UAB students pose in the photo booth at UAB's 'Dress to Impress Live' on March 31, 2025. Students dressed themselves with UAB-provided props and outfits.
On Monday, March 31, attendees gathered at Michigan State University’s Student Union to participate in the University Activities Board (UAB)’s “Dress To Impress Live!”
The event was based on Roblox's online game “Dress To Impress.” Just like in the online version, each round consisted of three participants who were given about five and a half minutes to create an outfit with provided materials to match a theme announced by the hosts at the beginning of the round. After the time was up, participants strut down the runway, showing off their creations and hitting a pose at the end. The judges then deliberated and chose a winner.
Psychology and theater junior and Arts Coordinator for UAB Tessa Woolever said she wanted to incorporate the idea of fashion into an event.
“As the Arts Coordinator, I have to do arts-themed events, and I wanted to cover a broad range of the arts,” Woolever said. “I figured fashion is one, and then my roommate was playing dress to impress and I was like, 'this would be a really fun event and it would cover fashion as an art,' so I wanted to do it because of that.”
Philosophy and digital storytelling sophomore Leah Haberek was an attendee at the event. She said the concept of “Dress To Impress” drew her into coming.
“I saw that it was ‘Dress To Impress’ inspired and I don't actually play the game, but I have friends that play and I know about the game and the concept of it, and I think it's a super fun idea,” Haberek said. “I thought it would be really fun to watch or even participate, if I get the chance to.”
Woolever said her favorite part of hosting events like “Dress To Impress Live!” is creating a welcoming environment for guests to experience.
“I like hosting events like this because it's just fun, and it kind of (creates) like a sense of community," Woolever said. "I like to promote fun events around campus to build community at MSU."
Haberek's favorite part was sitting back and watching others enjoy the event.
“It's fun watching people have fun,” Haberek said. “I love it when people get excited about an event and I feel like that's the case with a lot of the UAB events, is that they're just kind of wholesome.”
Environmental studies and sustainability junior and attendee Mia Williams' favorite part was participating in the rounds of “Dress To Impress Live!”
“(I like) the creativity with outfits,” Williams said. “Part of the thing of DTI is that you can use different clothing for different purposes, so (I like) seeing how people style things.”
Williams said the popularity of the online game, “Dress To Impress,” allowed the re-creation of the game to take place in real life.
“I think ‘Dress to Impress’ is really popular, just because a lot of people like to dress up,” Williams said. “It brings a lot of community on Roblox too. You get to play this game online with strangers who have a commonality.”
Woolever hoped that attendees were able to enjoy their time at the event, and that interest was sparked in what UAB does.
“I hope that attendees had a good time and hopefully want to come to UAB events more, or maybe even join UAB as a member.”
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