For the first time since 2019, Jefferson will hold its celebrated full Fashion Design Show in person in front of hundreds of students, faculty, friends and members of industry.
The signature University event went on hiatus during the pandemic, replaced by a fashion film highlighting student work, which later included a mini show. Carly Kusy, interim fashion design program director, felt the time had arrived for the runway to return.
“We’re well into our post-COVID era,” she says. “The film served a great purpose, but looking at the fashion landscape, we decided to move back to stay competitive and current with industry.”
Signature Full In-Person Fashion Show Returns After Six-Year Hiatus
Jefferson will celebrate the work of fashion design seniors on April 23.
Fashion design seniors Jayson Streets and Amy Brito will showcase their looks at Jefferson’s fashion show at Philadelphia’s 23rd Street Armory. (Photos/Steve Belkowitz)
The designs of seniors Emily Nguyen and Jade Burriss
The fashion show will take place on April 23 at the 23rd Street Armory in Philadelphia. Its setup will be reminiscent of pre-pandemic shows with a few new wrinkles.
In the past, select sophomores and juniors would present their looks with seniors; however, this year, just seniors will showcase their collections, Kusy says. The twist will allow 18 seniors to feature four looks to demonstrate their full vision in front of potential employers and others. (Fashion design and fashion merchandising and management underclassmen in the student organization Fashion Industry Association still will play a role in the show, dressing models, organizing and steaming clothes behind the scenes.)
“This is a real opportunity for students to get their names out there, get recognition, network and land jobs—and to heighten Jefferson’s visibility in the design world,” Kusy says.
Jayson Streets eagerly awaits seeing his work on the runway and shifting from “a fashion design student to a true fashion designer,” he says, appreciating the significance of the first major fashion show in six years. “It’s important to me. It feels like we all must make a statement with our collections and really show what we learned. I’m very excited for this moment.”
The designs of seniors Diamond Porter and Ta’ron Jackson
Inspired by vintage garments from mid-century America, specifically military wear, Streets describes his pieces as loose silhouettes—comfortable but still make a statement when going out. Plus, his looks focus on sustainability, being upcycled and naturally dyed and can be worn by different size types.
Classmate Amy Brito’s collection explores power and strength through silhouettes and materials inspired by the expansiveness of art and spirituality, she explains. “I used metals and hardware to tell the story of family craftsmanship passed down through generations and reimagined again.”
Like Streets, she’s grateful to be part of the fashion show revival, a moment she will relish with her fellow seniors.
“This university gave me the freedom to find who I am as a designer,” Brito shares. “This show is more than just presenting a beautiful collection. It’s a representation of growth, education and endless creativity.”
Fashion alumni Jorge Luis Salinas and Alicia Pinckney will be recognized at the April 23 event.
Along with celebrating student work, the event will honor two esteemed fashion design alumni. Class of 1994 grad Jorge Luis Salinas—founder and creative director for J. Salinas—will receive the Spirit of Design Award, presented to designers who have made outstanding contributions to the fashion and design industry through innovation. (Previous recipients include Carson Kressley, Stuart Weitzman and Tommy Hilfiger.) Class of 2013 grad Alicia Pinckney—Jordan Global men’s senior apparel designer at Nike—will earn the Fashion Design Alumni Award.
“They represent what makes me excited about the industry,” Kusy beams.
Forward-thinking with their respective brands, the alumni also give back to their communities, she says. Salinas works to preserve the culture and craft of Peruvian artisans, and Pinckney established the Black Talent in Design and Fashion Fund.
Kusy can’t wait to recognize the alumni (Pinckney was one of her first students) and spotlight fashion design seniors’ technical and creative skills after four years at the University.
“Our students are thoughtful, intentional designers who design through a human-centric lens,” she says. “This is an incredible opportunity to see what’s possible in terms of harvesting creativity in new ways and designing with a strong point of view in an exciting and evolving fashion industry.”