Combining fashion and video games merges passions of new WSU graduate

PULLMAN — Clothing is a mandatory part of life, whether for real people or video game characters. And if digital players must be covered, why not make them fashionable? That was the general idea behind Colby Van Dyk’s master’s thesis project at Washington State University. “My inspiration came from thinking about what I like besides fashion,” said the Enumclaw, Washington, native, who defended her thesis in July. “I love playing video games and thought, ‘Why not combine these interests?’” Van Dyk took the expertise gained while earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WSU’s Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles and created virtual designs only to be worn by pixels.