Interwoven: Senior Designers bring Story, Skill and Sustainability to the Runway聽
Designers in the 糖心原创 Fashion Program took to the runway during the 82nd&苍产蝉辫;补苍苍耻补濒&苍产蝉辫;鈥�The Collections鈥� fashion show, presenting work that reflects both technical skill and personal storytelling.
This year鈥檚 theme, Interwoven, explores the theme of connection and shared experience through clothing, and how these moments can shape people.
Held during Alumni Weekend inside the Windsor Auditorium, this year鈥檚 show featured the work of 20 designers, including the work of seven seniors presenting their final collections.
A Show built on Process, Precision and Execution
From Freshman鈥檚 through Seniors, 鈥�The Collections鈥� offers students a unique opportunity to get an early and sustained look at the demands of the fashion industry.
The garments showcased in the show and award recipients were selected by a group of industry professionals in March. The result was a tightly curated show that balanced creativity with craftsmanship.
鈥淭he show this year was exceptional,鈥� said Dr. Monica McMurry, chair of the fashion program. 鈥淔rom production to construction, it all came together at an incredibly high level.鈥�
Students led every aspect of the show, from the pieces to the staging, lighting, media and model coordination 鈥� the show was executed thanks to their behind-the-scenes work, while continuing to talk their academic workloads.
The show serves as fashion students鈥� capstone experience and showcasing the work they developed during their time in the program.
鈥淭hey rise to the occasion,鈥� McMurry said. 鈥淭hey work until it鈥檚 pretty perfect.鈥�
Interwoven: A theme highlighting connection
鈥淚nterwoven鈥� was developed as this year鈥檚 theme by student leaders early in the academic year, centering on the idea that garments, like people, are shaped through connection.
That concept was carried through every element of the show, from branding to design direction. Students explored sustainability, heritage and shared human experience, pushing beyond aesthetics to consider the lifecycle and meaning of clothing.
鈥淭he students are highly keen to the need to look at actionable ways to create sustainability in fashion and our lives,鈥� said McMurry. 鈥淭his theme drove every aspect of the show.鈥�
Senior Collections take Center Stage
At the heart of the show were seven senior collections鈥攎ini showcases that reflect a full year of concept development, design and production.
For McMurry, seeing those collections realized is a moment that never loses its impact.
鈥淪eeing the collections on the stage was beyond words,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he level of craftsmanship and the growth of these students鈥攊t鈥檚 why we do this work.鈥�
Meet the Senior Designers
- Arin-Christina Hawk鈥痙rew from jazz influences of the Harlem Renaissance and 1970s Chicago, blending bold color and pattern to explore Black art and identity through a 鈥淢odern Dandy鈥� lens. Her collection鈥�Life on Bourbon Street鈥痳eflected both cultural homage and personal heritage.聽
- Sofia Ramos, from S茫o Paulo, Brazil, transformed upcycled soccer jerseys into elevated streetwear with鈥痟er collection, Penta, merging sport, family and sustainability into a collection rooted in identity and celebration.
- Caitlyn Arnold鈥檚鈥痗辞濒濒别肠迟颈辞苍,&苍产蝉辫;Serenity,鈥痗aptured coastal calm through swimwear and ready-to-wear pieces, emphasizing eco-conscious materials and a sense of femininity grounded in nature.
- Lena Hunziker, who earned recognition for best collection, explored the balance of masculine structure and feminine fluidity, designing for strength, movement and confidence in female athletes.
- McKenna Williams鈥痚xamined nostalgia through鈥�Anemoia, blending historical references with modern silhouettes to evoke both familiarity and longing.
- Izzy Meyers鈥欌赌�Follies鈥痙rew inspiration from performance and tension, using bold silhouettes and theatrical influence to reflect the experience of creating amid cultural constraint.
- Ava Hercules鈥痜ocused on motherhood and memory, designing pieces that reconnect wearers with childhood wonder and generational storytelling鈥攁n approach that also earned her collection recognition for construction and marketability.
More Than a Runway
For students, the show is more than a presentation鈥攊t鈥檚 a culmination.
From first critiques to final fittings, the process is designed to mirror industry expectations, pushing students to navigate feedback, refine their work and meet high standards.
鈥淭he fashion industry is demanding,鈥� McMurry said. 鈥淭his experience prepares them to understand their strengths and to meet challenges head-on.鈥�
Reaching a Wider Audience
This year鈥檚 expanded runway design and capabilities brought the experience to a wider audience, while maintaining an intimate connection between designer, garment and viewer.
But beyond the production,鈥�Interwoven鈥痩eft a clear impression: fashion at Stephens is not just about clothing鈥攊t鈥檚 about storytelling, discipline and the connections that shape both.
The fashion show received media coverage from local new organizations including the , and the .
More information regarding 鈥淭he Collections鈥� can be found .
