Models walked the runway built on the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre stage
New designs dazzled on the Canady Creative Arts Center’s Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre stage, as WVU Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) students took their final bow of the 2024-2025 academic year.
“Artistry in Motion,” the 2025 West Virginia University Fashion Show, featured eight unique scenes with clothing designed by 26 current and former FDM students.
Scene 1 of the show featured student designs inspired by UK-based designer Julian Roberts. Roberts guided students in a two-day masterclass during the fall 2024 semester and his signature “subtraction cutting” technique. Scene 2 was titled “Pulling the Strings” and featured sophomore designs meant to address a specific clothing need for contemporary consumers.
Designed by Georgi AbdallaScene 3 featured Zunaira Malik’s “Hidden Brilliance,” with designs that featured images created by children on the autism spectrum. On February 10, the collection took the runway at The Manhattan Mirage during the spring 2025 New York Fashion Week.
Scenes 4 and 5 featured designs from juniors, who were challenged to create a three-piece set with pants, a knit top and jacket under the theme “Reconstructed Concepts,” and create garments with no fabric waste for the “Zero Waste” theme.
Designed by Ella Renshaw
Scene 6 was titled “Runway of Dreams” and was orchestrated by the WVU club of the Runway of Dreams Foundation and featured models with disabilities. The goal of the Runway of Dreams Foundation and its clubs is to empower people with disabilities to have confidence and self-expression through fashion and beauty inclusion.
Scene 7 was titled “Transformation” and featured designs by junior FDM students. They were challenged to design garments that evolve in silhouette, function or expression. One of the designs, “Crimson Wings,” was created by Gavin Fragale, who won the IMG College Licensing Collegiate (CLC) Experience at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). This exclusive opportunity, which is offered through a partnership between CLC, WVU Brand and Trademark Licensing, and Strategic Communications and Marketing, provides Fragale with two days of immersive activities, including job shadowing a licensee, engaging in live panel discussions with industry professionals and attending premier fashion shows during the Fall/Winter NYFW.
“I'm looking forward to seeing brand new looks from established and upcoming brands in person, as well as being able to make connections that will allow me to more confidently plan my future,” Fragale said.
Fragale also took home first place in the “Most Creative Expression” category.
Designed by Gavin Fragale
Scene 8 featured custom collections created by seniors in the Senior Studio course, the capstone of the undergraduate design program. Each student is challenged to conceptualize and execute a collection of six cohesive looks that reflect creative depth, a clear design vision and technical proficiency. Victoria Manion’s “I am the Leading Man” collection was selected as the “Best in Show.” The collection included dramatic stage looks for female music artists in the rock and punk genres.
“I was heavily influenced by Vivienne Westwood and 1970s British punk rebellion and wanted the plaid elements and the British flag motif to be show cased throughout the collection,” Manion said.
Designs from Victoria Manion's "I am the Leading Man" collection
The show’s panel of guest judges included Michael Nolan Kouri, designer and owner of Nolan Kouri LLC; Shera Lorenze, founder of Personally Yours; Connie Merandi, co-owner of CONI & FRANC; Emma Ervin, owner and CEO of Gemma Bridal; and Hailey Brown, a program specialist for WVU Brand and Trademark Licensing.
Sophomores James Turner and Georgi Abdalla took home first and second place respectively for the “Innovation in Creativity and Function” category. Maile Carberry, a junior, was awarded first prize for “Most Inventive Transformation,” and juniors Ella Renshaw and Sarah Cyphers tied for second place in the “Most Creative Expression” category. Each winner received a certificate and monetary prize.
“The students truly did an amazing job,” said Colleen Moretz, the head of Fashion Design Studios for the FDM program. “The Promotion class was exceptional in managing every aspect of the show, especially behind the scenes. Their dedication and teamwork made the event a success. The Fashion Design students exceeded expectations with their innovative and beautifully executed collections. It is incredibly rewarding for the students to see their designs come to life on the runway, a powerful culmination of their hard work and vision.”
“Artistry in Motion” was sponsored at the platinum level by The Clark Foundation, the bronze level by the West Virginia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and Phi Omicron, Family and Consumer Sciences Honorary, Personally Yours, Barbizon Chique, Joyces Jewelry, Dr. Angela Uyiro, Laurie Erikson and Zunaira Malik. Baker Cheese Company, Café Rosé, Chique Barbizon, Devino's, Say-Boys Restaurant, Mama K's, Melanie Gillum Hair and Makeup Artist, Mountain State Brewing Company, The Tea Shoppe, Tropics and White Oak were the show’s in-kind sponsors. The campaign sponsors were Robert Renshaw, Nathan Arnett, Shonda Asaad, Patti Bailey, Jacque Chapman, Thomas Hassett, Cynthia Davis, Michael Zilian, Nina Arnett, Colleen Moretz, Fred Kesner, Regina Paul, Asaad Shonda and Laurie Erickson.
For more information about the FDM program, visit artanddesign.wvu.edu.