From Fashion to Fetish: The Shocking Reality of Iowa State University’s AMD 1650

What do strap-on dildos, urinating on others for sexual pleasure, and fisting have to do with Apparel, Merchandising, and Design?

Picture this: you're 18, 19, or 20, just stepping into adulthood, excited about pursuing your passion in fashion design. Then, out of nowhere, your professor assigns a video to watch as part of the curriculum. Seems pretty routine, right? But the moment it starts playing, something feels off. You're not prepared for what's on the screen. Suddenly, you're witnessing explicit, shocking sexual content that makes your stomach churn. You wonder: Should I really be watching this? It's an assignment—so you feel like you have to. But deep down, it feels completely wrong. Likely, it's the first time you've ever encountered such graphic material.

Do you tell your professor you're refusing to do the assignment? Would you risk losing points or even failing the class over something that feels so deeply uncomfortable? Would you call a parent to get their guidance, or would you be too embarrassed? What about your classmate; what will they think? Do you dare ask them if they watched the video, and if they did were they just as shocked as you? What if they think you’re overreacting, or worse, that you’re inexperienced? The pressure to conform is real, and the fear of being labeled “uncool” gnaws at you. But how far should you go just to fit in, and where do you draw the line between academic expectations and personal boundaries?