Giving Back in Style: Alumna Wendy Manasse ‘81 Returns to Elevate Stephens Fashion Seniors’ Portfolios
Seniors in the Stephens College fashion program have been working tirelessly for months to create collections from concept to product. While seeing their designs come to life means the world to seniors like Sofia Ramos ‘26, having those designs modeled and photographed by a professional photographer is the cherry on top, one that she couldn’t be more grateful for.
“It’s so fulfilling,” said Ramos. “I’m just so proud of all the work that all the other seniors and I have put in, and to get to see the collection all together, styled and everything, feels so nice because we’ve been working on it for so long.”
Ramos, along with six other seniors, spent the afternoon styling, posing and showcasing their work on a professional photoshoot set, a shoot put together by alumna Wendy Manasse ‘81.
More Than Just a Photoshoot
Stephens’ fashion and senior collection professor, Dr. Monica McMurry ’82, said the photoshoot was a product of a brainstorming session with Manasse over the phone.
“We were talking about the seniors and what is needed as they job search and prepare to leave campus,” said McMurry, “and Wendy is a coach and consultant at other colleges and sees the portfolios of their schools and knew just what was needed.”
“Nothing is more important,” said Manasse. “They need those photos for their portfolios when they graduate, which is coming up, to use in their resumes as they begin applying for their future careers.”
Ramos said a shoot like this makes all the difference for young designers like herself.
“It’s nice because I feel like we can actually see the bigger picture now,” said Ramos.
“And to have this opportunity here, with Wendy helping us direct the shoots, is just amazing.”
The photoshoot was pulled together at the last minute, with Manasse hiring the photographer, working with staff and faculty to utilize the Kimball Ballroom and directing models to help execute each student’s vision for their collection. The students provided their work, the models and accessories needed to pull the collection together.
“During my photoshoot, she helped me a lot with the poses and what to do with the props, and it was really helpful,” said Ramos.
Where Education Meets Industry Expertise
Stephens is known for integrating seasoned professionals like Manasse into everyday classes, providing students with the tools to succeed in their chosen field.
Her most recent visit marks the second time she has been on campus this year, where she has met with fashion students as a coach and mentor, and contributed to a masterclass held over Zoom for students in February.
“We met Wendy last semester for the first time, and she helped us a lot with resumes, portfolios, and gave us tips and critiques on our collections,” said Ramos. “I know that I, and many of the other seniors, have been in contact with her even when she’s not on campus.”
From working with companies like Authentic Fitness Corporation to owning her own brand, Manasse has built a career in the fashion industry. Now, she chooses to give back to future designers by working with students here at Stephens and at California State University in Long Beach, CA.
“I work with students a lot,” said Manasse. “Nothing is more rewarding than when a student gets an opportunity to learn and grow, and my famous line is, you don’t know what you don’t know until you do know.”
Manasse said opportunities to learn from industry experts make Stephens unique.
“The highlight of Stephens is the fact that even when I was in school here, we had critics and people from the design or fashion world here all the time,” said Manasse. “So, while Columbia is obviously not the biggest city in the world, you can still bring what the world has to offer to Columbia, and I think that is really important.”
What’s Next for Senior Designers
Now that they have editorial photos in their portfolios, senior designers like Ramos are waiting to take their collections to the runway.
“We have our fashion show on April 25,” said Ramos. “Everybody is just super excited for it, it’s where we get to present our collection, which is our capstone, and it’s our big event of the year – every year.”
The Collections 82nd Annual Fashion Show takes place on Saturday, April 25, in Windsor Auditorium. Three shows are scheduled at 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
Additionally, two students, Izzy Meyers and McKenna Williams, are hand-delivering garments to the Fashion Group International Dallas Scholarship Competition, which will take place on April 17. Last year, Stephens saw three students win, including –
- Julia League ‘25 – 2nd place, Denim Category
- Hannah Kleman ‘25 – 1st place, Cocktail Category
- Claire Johnson ‘25 – Paris American Academy (PAA) Couture Award
Manasse will be back on campus to watch the Fashion Show and attend the reunion that will be held during Alumni Weekend and plans to continue coming back when she can to work with Stephens students.
“This is truly my passion,” said Manasse. “I am just a person who loves to physically see what I can do to help.”
Special thanks to the professional hired for this photoshoot, LG Patterson.
Behind the Scenes of the Photoshoot
