Richland College alumna Shirin Askari, who is currently a contestant on Lifetime Network’s “Project Runway,” will speak about her experiences at 11:15 a.m., Friday in Fannin Hall, Room 108. Askari will talk with students about being in a season-long television program as well as auditioning and working with a camera, crew, and director. This event is free and open to the public.

Askari started sewing early and made her first dress at the age of seven. After making the decision in high school to pursue fashion design, she enrolled at Richland and received an associate’s of arts degree. While at Richland, she became very involved in the theatre program, participating in shows and playing a huge role in the theatre’s costume department. After attending Richland, Askari decided to transfer to the University of North Texas where she received a BFA in fashion design in May 2008.

Askari’s plans to spend the following summer in Europe and move to New York City for work were thwarted by a broken knee. However, she received an e-mail from a former professor telling her about an audition for Project Runway. After sending in an audition tape and going through a series of interviews, she later received a call confirming that she had been accepted as a contestant.

For more on Askari, visit www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/project-runway-designers/shirin-askari or www.shirinaskaristore.com.