UB Blueprint is not only transforming the fashion scene at UB, but also paving the way for aspiring designers, models and entrepreneurs to thrive beyond campus.
“This is about more than fashion, it’s about giving students and the Buffalo community a voice through creativity,” said management student and co-founder of UB Blueprint, Tj Snyder. “Whether you're a designer, model, or someone with a dream you’ve never had the chance to pursue, we want UB Blueprint to be that launching pad.”
UB Blueprint’s origins
UB Blueprint emerged in 2023, starting the club as a student-led initiative under the mentorship of Hadar Borden, an advisor for UB’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (CoLab).
What began as a collaborative project for CoLab for the Panasci Show, has since evolved into an annual university production and fashion organization, dedicated to driving innovation in the industry.
“We realized there was a strong passion for fashion at UB, but no formal incubator for students to learn, grow, and connect,” communication major and Creative Director, Brandon Poindexter, said.
“Our goal was to build a platform where students could turn their creative ideas into tangible opportunities.”
It was from this vision that UB Blueprint was born. Officially launched in April 2023, the group continues to grow, uniting a diverse community of creators and innovators.
Inclusivity and innovation
At the heart of UB Blueprint is a commitment to inclusivity and innovation. “We target everyone as a whole. We don’t want anyone to feel excluded,” Director of Productions criminology and sociology major Samuel Agorioge said.
The club embraces diversity, welcoming people of all sizes, backgrounds and identities. No specific requirements are needed for casting calls, everyone is accepted for who they are.
A hub for collaboration and community impact
As an independent organization outside UB’s Student Association, the club collaborates with UB’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (CoLab) and seeks funding through external partnerships.
This autonomy has allowed the group to build connections with the broader Buffalo fashion scene, working with organizations like Buffalo Fashion Week and Buffalo Fashion Runway. By expanding opportunities for its members, UB Blueprint helps students network within the fashion industry and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Mohammed Musleh, management student and Strategic Director, noted the challenges and rewards of establishing such partnerships. “Getting the institution to see our vision has been a challenge. But with the help of our advisors, we’ve started to solidify our place at UB.”
Although UB has no fashion-related major, UB Blueprint aims to create its own fashion “track.” This initiative will provide students with valuable skills in areas such as communications, public relations and entrepreneurship—essential tools that prepare students for their careers and help them build connections in the fashion industry.
“We provide students interested in fashion with their first steps, not just into the craft but into the fashion industry itself,” Musleh said. “It’s an opportunity to gain real-world experience and build a foundation for their future.”
By revitalizing UB’s long-dormant fashion legacy, the group is enriching campus culture and contributing to Buffalo’s creative economy.
“We’re breaking barriers,” Poindexter said. “Our goal is to show students and the community that UB is home to incredible talent and creativity.”
Looking ahead
Snyder’s vision for UB Blueprint goes beyond the present; he sees it as a foundation for long-term growth for the UB community.
“This is just the beginning. We want to see UB recognized as a creative hub, a place where innovation and artistry thrive,” he said.
“Our work with UB Blueprint is setting the stage for something much bigger—a future where Buffalo is on the map as a center for fashion and design.”
Updates on the group’s journey and upcoming events can be found via their social media @UBBlueprint.
“We’re just getting started,” Musleh said. “The future is bright for UB Blueprint and Buffalo fashion as a whole.”
The features desk can be reached at features@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
