USC Fashion Week 2016: Student Designer Showcase

Tonight was the Student Designer Showcase for USC Fashion Week 2016 and we saw some serious talent. Seven USC students created beautiful, unique collections and got the opportunity to present them to the Columbia area community alongside several student vendors and student artwork. The doors opened at 6pm to 701 Whaley lit by the setting sun displaying the minimally decorated and open space, complete with an adorable table for refreshments.

Guests began to trickle in and by 7pm we had a full house; free admission with a Carolina Card proved to be a great way to bring in more attendees. We had a lovely pianist as well as DJ's for the show, keeping a cool, class, modern atmosphere for the duration of the event. The student vendors we had for the night included "When You Were Dreaming" a collection of beautiful, handmade dream catchers, as well as Caroline Cozzens, a maker of pretty, simple, beaded jewelry that I cannot wait to purchase!

 Once the show got started, models in gorgeous garments began to descend the stairway and get into their places for a live-mannequin format show. Each of the student designers put forward incredibly impressive collections with unique designs and careful tailoring. Novia Green, Sarah Dyer, Lyssie Ropp, Shakira Jackson, Amelia Shuler, Marisa Martin, and Aspen Odle were our lucky seven this year and thanks to their creativity and talent, this show was a sure success.
 

           

                                    

Attendees weighed in on Twitter using the hashtag #USCFW16 to vote on their favorite collection, and the Twitter winner for the showcase was Novia Green! The overall winner of the showcase, as decided by a panel of judges, was Marisa Martin! We would like to extend a huge congratulations to our winners of the night as well as to every designer and model who participated; the level of talent they displayed was very high and each collection was so impressive, especially to us fashion-obsessed who can only dream of possessing such sewing skills.

We would like to thank all of our Fashion Board Members who make this event happen, including Erica Elbery the faculty advisor, the executive team, and Mary Wilbur who took the lead on this project. A special thanks goes out to our panel of judges: Barbara Lecara, Amy Shumaker, Addie Martindale, Lia Marino, and Molly Mcnutt. Also thank you to The college of HRSM and the department of Retailing, Glowout and Paul Mitchell for the hair and makeup on our models, Tom Chinn, 701 Whaley, Billy Rockefeller, Philip Castro, ACS Sound and Lighting, and Party Reflections. Designers, models, student vendors, and artists- we cannot thank you enough for making tonight such a great show!

The bar has been set high, and tomorrow night at 701 Whaley USC Fashion Week 2016 will host its finale show featuring local retailers and vendors. The doors open at 6pm and he show begins at 7pm, again it is $5 for the general public and free with a Carolina Card! We look forward to seeing you there!

Photos courtesy of Eileen Gillis