Exploring themes of hope, grief, justice, and innovation through fashion, more than a dozen apparel design students will present the Washington State University Fashion Show by video, Saturday, April 10.
Titled “Zeitgeist,” the show features collections inspired by current society’s changes and challenges, including the experience of immigrants, the struggle for democracy, barriers that women face, and the loss of friends to gun violence. Multiple designers address issues of ethics, environmentalism, equality, and inclusivity through creative fashion. Others pursue exploration and seek utopias and a futuristic world.
Held for 38 years, the WSU Fashion Show has typically been presented live at Beasley Coliseum during Mom’s Weekend, now the WSU Spring Family Weekend. While collections were displayed online in 2020, this is the first year that the show has been held virtually, with masked models traversing a runway on camera.
An all-student production, the show is developed by students as part of a special year-long class in the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles. The experience of planning and putting on a virtual show helps students master collaborative skills and concepts used in the apparel industry, from choreography and management to marketing and promotion.
Collaborating via Zoom from improvised studios in apartments and garages, senior designers had to solve problems unique to the era of social distancing, from finding models to fitting clothes.
“This experience gives them a great advantage going into the industry,” said Shanna Hiscock, AMDT academic coordinator and show advisor.
“Students have been flexible and very understanding through all of the adjustments that have taken place during the pandemic,” Hiscock added. “They are all so thankful to be part of this event and to showcase their collections.”
Judges will select the winning collections following the virtual presentation.
Senior designers for 2021 include Hugo Barragan, Camilla Costa-Goetz, Hailey Cribbs, Brandon Dunbar, Gena Franco, Jansen Garside, Connor Gray, Kohl Hunter, Mariah Garza, Nallely Gonzalez-Maravilla, Yi‑ting Huang, Aiyana Miller, Jennifer Rossi, Charles Stockbridge, and Bryant Sze.
The Zeitgeist video show will be available starting Saturday, April 10, at the event homepage.
AMDT plans an online auction to help fund the show, which has been traditionally supported by ticket sales.
Offering a selection of merchandise and care packages donated by local businesses, the auction will be live through April 9 at the show website.
