Lights, Camera… Action! On Saturday, May 6th, the TJU Fashion Design Department hosted Behind the Seams: A 2023 Jefferson Fashion Film Premiere & Collection Preview. The event marked the first screening of the 2023 Fashion Film, and debuted the Fashion Design department’s first live-model runway show since pre-COVID. With a sold-out crowd of over 500 students, faculty, family, friends, and guests, the event featured the Class of 2023 and their work in all its well-deserved glory.
Graduating senior Lena Blumberg with Professor Carly Kusy.
Graduating senior Mckenna Henry with family.
Close-up details from Maranda Luckanitz’s childrenswear look on display at the event.
2023 Jefferson Fashion Film Premiere
Members of the Class of 2023 watch the fashion film with interest and excitement.
Similar to the 2021 & 2022 fashion films, this year’s documentary-style film interviews members of the senior graduating class about their collections, inspirations, and aspirations. The designers lend insider perspective on the stories, challenges, and visual inspirations behind their collections. This year, the film also highlights each designers’ motivations and missions for the future of fashion, including pushes for sustainability, inclusivity, diversity, genderless fashion, and even the question of “what really is fashion?”. Jefferson’s unique focus on technology and collaboration also feature forefront in the film, as students speak to their experiences working alongside textile designers, animators, and other design disciplines in order to accomplish their overall vision for the collection.
Lyla Duffy congratulates her runway model following the runway show.
TJU Fashion and Textile Design Faculty members
Jefferson Fashion Design honors much-beloved Professor Anne Hand. Professor Hand is retiring at the end of the Spring 2023 semester after 30 years with the program.
Members of the TJU Fashion Design and Textile Design Faculty
Immediately following the film, the room’s energy electrified as runway lights came up, music pumped through the speakers, and models wearing looks from the senior graduates strutted the illuminated runway. The room buzzed with awe and admiration as one look from each designer featured from all angles on the big screens and on the larger-than-life runway. The bustling energy continued far beyond the runway as guests were invited to take a closer look at garments from each senior collection on display at the event. A life-size LED screen displayed a virtual runway featuring clips created by members of the senior class in their 3D Virtual Fashion Design course. This loop included digital renderings from some of the senior collections physically on display at the event, bringing the message of technology and the future of fashion full-circle at the event. A truly incredible night celebrating hard-work, determination, and overcoming obstacles.
Textile design student Alex Winch was awarded the URBN Award for Excellence in Textile Design
Prof.. Farai Simoyi presents Anna Sheller with the Fashion Design Faculty Award for Excellence in Design.
Prof. Anne Hand presents Duane Smith with the Excellence in Craftsmanship Award.
Prof. Farai Simoyi and industry sponsor Eji Benson present Samuel Stern with the Ennui New York Award for Excellence in Design Innovation.
Prof. Farai Simoyi presents Lauren Schuler with the School of Design and Engineering Award for Excellence in Bridal or Eveningwear.
Prof. Farai Simoyi presents Kierra Lee and Maranda Luckanitz with the Nexus Awards for Excellence in Real World Design.
Prof. Farai Simoyi presents Sam Lie with the Nicholas Louis Palumbo Award for Design Excellence in Menswear.
Prof. Farai Simoyi presents Ruiqi Chen with the Coates Brothers Clothing Award for Best Senior Collection.
Program director Prof. Farai Simoyi awards Hailey Nicchi and her Textile Design collaborator Manasi Eswarapu (not pictured) the United Fabrics Award for Excellence in Collaborative Textile Design.
A modern, form-fitting knitwear look from designer Duane Smith kicks off the runway portion of the event.
Show-stopping look by Ether Koigbli.
Members of the Class of 2023 walk the runway.
TJU Fashion Design Class of 2023 and their runway looks.
Designer Emelia McKenzie (center) poses with her runway model and a friend; all wearing looks from Emelia’s senior collection.
We invite everyone to watch the 2023 Jefferson Fashion Design Film online here and to explore the debut collections from these young, emerging designers.
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