A bee, a cowgirl and a witch walk into a party – it sounds like the start to a bad joke, but this was actually the start to WSU’s International Textile and Apparel Association’s Halloween party Oct. 29.

ITAA is for anyone interested in the fashion industry, said Erin McCutcheon, ITAA president and junior apparel, merchandising, design and textiles major.

The group is open to every student, regardless of major or grades, said William Hilton, a senior English major and ITAA member. He said the club gives him a chance to learn about a part of the university he would not otherwise have the opportunity to be involved with.

“ITAA will be good for you if you have even a miniscule interest in fashion,” McCutcheon said. “You get to learn what we do and how we do it, and you get to do a bunch of charity work. Plus, we have a lot of fun. It’s just a fun club.” ITAA is a professional society, which means its members work on preparing for the career world, said Margaret Ashcroft, part of ITAA’s promotion and advertising team and AMDT major.

For example, the group is working with Crimson and Gray to sell a clothing line created entirely by the group, Ashcroft said. This project will give the members practical industry experience.

Another aspect of ITAA is charity work. The group works on several projects each year that incorporate its specific skills, such as making scrup caps for children at local hospitals.

The group also holds canned food and baby item drives throughout the year. This year, members dyed scarves to donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The remaining scarves will be sold at the Mom’s Weekend Fashion Show, ITAA’s biggest event, said Jennifer Infanger, AMDT instructor and adviser for ITAA.

The show indicates how difficult the fashion industry can be, because members are already working on it, though the event isn’t until April, McCutcheon said.

“Designing is not the glamour and glitz people think it is,” she said. “We do use math for marketing and we have to think about the consumers and what they want.” McCutcheon said she encourages people to join the club so they can learn more about the design process and get involved with it.

There are $15 club dues that fund T-shirts, charity events and parties, such as an ugly Christmas sweater party the group will have later this year.

The meetings are at 7 p.m. every other Wednesday in Kruegel-McAllister Hall in room 53. Students can also e-mail itaa.cougs@yahoo.com.