Dallas College celebrated its third annual Design Week from April 20-23. Highlighting the Future of Fashion during Arts Month, it allowed design students to set the stage and standards that inspire others to pursue fashion.
Students displayed their end-of-semester assignments to the public, showcasing creative approaches, style and expression. The Brookhaven Campus hosted a digital Art & Design Showcase, displaying art pieces in a gala-style format.
It allowed guests to evaluate each piece. Also, a collection of student-created videos featuring digital art and animations was featured. A space/fashion marketing runway show held at the Adolphus Tower featured students’ creative artwork across multiple stations. It included models dressed to complement each display independently as designers presented their project assignments. “It was my dream to become a fashion marketing professor because I graduated from the same program at Dallas College. This occasion represents the most significant event of my year,” said professor Carmen Carter.
“The program itself is excellent and remarkable. Initially, I was somewhat apprehensive about our event moving off-campus when I received the news last fall. However, as the date approached, my anticipation grew. It turned out beautifully for our students involved. Citlaly Perez, a design student, was named the grand prize winner at the close of the event,” she added.
The El Centro campus hosted an Architecture and Interior Design showcase featuring a new creative take on living spaces. Decorators and architectural students displayed their works with refreshed, futuristic visions to innovate spaces with functionality and aesthetics.
The Future of Fashion runway show was the highly anticipated fundraising event that closed out design week for emerging designers in the fashion design program. This year’s theme was Humanity: The Art of Beginning Again. A pop-up space filled with an exhibition displaying design concepts on mannequins mixed with a retail experience, directly engaging guests with students mirroring today’s fashion industry standards. Students prepared in the classroom to transform their collection, worn by models walking a 70-foot runway.
It was all part of a final assignment prepared by emerging freshman designers. Emmanuel Tobias, who graduated in pattern design in 2007, was the master of ceremonies for the event.An A-list panel of judges graded the show, including the former vice president of design at JCPenney, Geoffrey Henning, and the innovative and visionary fashion curator Mahiri Takai from New York City. Dallas native and renowned celebrity stylist KJ Moody, who works as Beyoncé’s stylist.
The list included Bravo’s D’Andra Simmons from “The Real Housewives of Dallas” TV series. Establishing a direct link between emerging talent and a supportive community, the events displayed Dallas College’s dedication to preparing students for real-world markets within the creative industries by integrating design and practical experience.
Following the runway show, Moody shared his excitement about the talented young designers from Dallas.
He appreciated their hard work, craftsmanship and hunger to succeed. He reflected on his journey, having graduated from the Art Institute of Dallas over 12 years ago. He said he feels happy to see Dallas continue to thrive, which makes him happy.”It was a great show!” Model Milan Noelle said.
“Working with these students for a second year now has been an honor. Being a model in the future of fashion show, sharing my beauty and talent and putting that into art and their design, it’s beautiful”. Ahava Silkey-Jones, vice provost of Dallas College School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design, said the event highlights students’ talent and collaboration each year. “We’re proud of our students,” Silkey-Jones said.
“The interest this event generates is remarkable. Many guests were blown away by how the show exceeded expectations.
Each year, students outperform themselves, and this year I was especially impressed by the videography used around the space. It was truly exceptional.”
