Interwoven: Senior Designers bring Story, Skill and Sustainability to the Runway
Designers in the Stephens College Fashion Program took to the runway during the 82nd annual “The Collections” fashion show, presenting work that reflects both technical skill and personal storytelling.
This year’s theme, Interwoven, explores the theme of connection and shared experience through clothing, and how these moments can shape people.
Held during Alumni Weekend inside the Windsor Auditorium, this year’s show featured the work of 20 designers, including the work of seven seniors presenting their final collections.
A Show built on Process, Precision and Execution
From Freshman’s through Seniors, “The Collections” offers students a unique opportunity to get an early and sustained look at the demands of the fashion industry.
The garments showcased in the show and award recipients were selected by a group of industry professionals in March. The result was a tightly curated show that balanced creativity with craftsmanship.
“The show this year was exceptional,” said Dr. Monica McMurry, chair of the fashion program. “From production to construction, it all came together at an incredibly high level.”
Students led every aspect of the show, from the pieces to the staging, lighting, media and model coordination – the show was executed thanks to their behind-the-scenes work, while continuing to talk their academic workloads.
The show serves as fashion students’ capstone experience and showcasing the work they developed during their time in the program.
“They rise to the occasion,” McMurry said. “They work until it’s pretty perfect.”
Interwoven: A theme highlighting connection
“Interwoven” was developed as this year’s theme by student leaders early in the academic year, centering on the idea that garments, like people, are shaped through connection.
That concept was carried through every element of the show, from branding to design direction. Students explored sustainability, heritage and shared human experience, pushing beyond aesthetics to consider the lifecycle and meaning of clothing.
“The students are highly keen to the need to look at actionable ways to create sustainability in fashion and our lives,” said McMurry. “This theme drove every aspect of the show.”
Senior Collections take Center Stage
At the heart of the show were seven senior collections—mini showcases that reflect a full year of concept development, design and production.
For McMurry, seeing those collections realized is a moment that never loses its impact.
“Seeing the collections on the stage was beyond words,” she said. “The level of craftsmanship and the growth of these students—it’s why we do this work.”
Meet the Senior Designers
- Arin-Christina Hawk drew from jazz influences of the Harlem Renaissance and 1970s Chicago, blending bold color and pattern to explore Black art and identity through a “Modern Dandy” lens. Her collection Life on Bourbon Street reflected both cultural homage and personal heritage.
- Audrey Keating leaned into function and play with her collection, Outdogsy, a performance-based pet apparel line inspired by outdoor adventures with her rescue dogs—designed to strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.
- Sofia Ramos, from São Paulo, Brazil, transformed upcycled soccer jerseys into elevated streetwear with her collection, Penta, merging sport, family and sustainability into a collection rooted in identity and celebration.
- Caitlyn Arnold’s collection, Serenity, captured coastal calm through swimwear and ready-to-wear pieces, emphasizing eco-conscious materials and a sense of femininity grounded in nature.
- Lena Hunziker, who earned recognition for best collection, explored the balance of masculine structure and feminine fluidity, designing for strength, movement and confidence in female athletes.
- McKenna Williams examined nostalgia through Anemoia, blending historical references with modern silhouettes to evoke both familiarity and longing.
- Izzy Meyers’ Follies drew inspiration from performance and tension, using bold silhouettes and theatrical influence to reflect the experience of creating amid cultural constraint.
- Ava Hercules focused on motherhood and memory, designing pieces that reconnect wearers with childhood wonder and generational storytelling—an approach that also earned her collection recognition for construction and marketability.
More Than a Runway
For students, the show is more than a presentation—it’s a culmination.
From first critiques to final fittings, the process is designed to mirror industry expectations, pushing students to navigate feedback, refine their work and meet high standards.
“The fashion industry is demanding,” McMurry said. “This experience prepares them to understand their strengths and to meet challenges head-on.”
Reaching a Wider Audience
This year’s expanded runway design and livestream capabilities brought the experience to a wider audience, while maintaining an intimate connection between designer, garment and viewer.
But beyond the production, Interwoven left a clear impression: fashion at Stephens is not just about clothing—it’s about storytelling, discipline and the connections that shape both.
The fashion show received media coverage from local new organizations including the Columbia Missourian, KOMU and the COMO 411.
More information regarding “The Collections” can be found here.
