Student Fashion Show: A Revival of Expression

Minneapolis College will showcase its most ambitious student fashion show in school history on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m., celebrating the work of its largest and most diverse cohort of fashion design students to date. 

The event, themed “A Revival of Expression,” will take place in the Minneapolis College T Plaza courtyard and will be live-streamed. 

The annual Minneapolis College fashion show is the capstone project in the Apparel Technologies program, showcasing the talents and skills of multicultural designers who have completed two years or more of study. This year’s event will feature four complete looks by each of 18 students, with more than 40 models walking the runway.

“It’s really incredible what our students are able to produce after two years in our program. For this show alone, they design and draft patterns for a line of four original looks, using 2D and CAD software. From there, they construct their designs in our industrial sewing lab. Then they fit their models, accessorize the looks to complete their designs, and prepare the models to walk the runway,” said Vicki Johnson, Apparel Design Faculty. 

To produce this year’s fashion show, Johnson and apparel design colleague Renalie Bailey collaborated with students and faculty in other College departments, as well as with local businesses:

• The Minneapolis College departments of Photography and Motion, Graphics and Web Design, Sound Arts, and Music will produce the show’s graphics, website, sound and music, which will include a performance by the Minneapolis College Jazz Ensemble. The website goes live April 24.
• Veteran Twin Cities fashion photographer and Minneapolis College alum Alex Butterfield managed the photo shoot and mentored the Minneapolis College Photography and Motion students to photograph and edit two looks for each designer’s portfolio.
• Approximately 120 prospective models—professional and aspiring, including students and community members of all ages, silhouettes, ethnicities, and genders—auditioned for the show.
• Hair stylists and makeup artists from Edina’s Spalon Montage will follow students’ instructions to create looks for the models. 

The Minneapolis College Apparel Technologies program offers an associate degree (60 credits), a diploma (32 credits) and a certificate (13 credits), preparing students for a wide variety of careers in fashion design and visual merchandising. Many students are first-generation college attendees, and most students work and/or care for a family while pursuing their studies. Visit the Apparel Technologies webpage for more information.