Meet the 2016 University of Texas Fashion Designers
It’s Spring fashion season in Austin! And there’s no better way to celebrate than with the University of Texas annual Fashion Show. This year’s named show, “‘Elements” will showcase twenty two talented designers who will send their collections, gowns and creations down the runway in front of a packed (the event is free) Frank Erwin Center on April 14, 2016.
The designers will not only be premiering their designs but they will also be competing for several awards, such as Most Wearable Collection and the coveted Best Collection and a special presentation sponsored by Lexus. Two familiar fashion names, Jessica Ciara and Gail Chovan are new staff additions to the UT Design program and have guided the students with their collections.
This year I was one of the lucky judges to not only express my opinion on their final collections but I was also able to give them direction during several judges throughout the many weeks during the design process. Austin designer Sergio Guadarrama was also on hand and gave the designers some very helpful criticism in regard to construction.
Lexus of Austin & Lakeway, a continuing supporter of the event, presents the Lexus Design Challenge in partnership with the junior design students.
Each student presented a garment inspired from a Lexus vehicle and was presented to a panel of fashion industry professionals. The top 10 designs, as selected by the panel, will walk the runway during the fashion show and the audience will text to vote the winner of the Lexus Design Challenge. The winning design student will receive a scholarship from Lexus of Austin & Lakeway.
“Lexus of Austin & Lakeway is proud to collaborate with the UT Fashion Design Program and the junior students to provide an opportunity for the next-generation of designers to learn from industry professionals and develop their ability to design for a specific customer profile, said Cassie LeMere, Event Marketing Director.
This year’s show will include a special collection, “The Spirit of UT”, to honor soon-to-be-retired Mr. George Mitchell, President & CEO of the University Co-operative Society and long-time patron of the UT Fashion Show. This collection’s garments are custom designed by small teams of our design students and will be modeled by UT lumniaries such as Mrs. Edith Royal, Quan Cosby, Destinee Hooker and AJ Abrams.
The Immersed In Cotton display will open up the evening festivities at 5:30 pm and the fashion show will begin at 7:15 pm and the show will be broadcast LIVE on the The Longhorn Network for the fourth year in a row. Congratulations to all the designers and we will see you at the end of the runway!
 |
Designer: Kristen Mellberg Major: Apparel Technical and Functional Design Hometown: Harker Heights, TX Name of Collection: Velvequeen Favorite Designer: Elie Saab Plans after Graduation: Intern over the summer and hopefully find a job! Fashion Internship: MZ Wallace Favorite junk food: Sour candy Bucket list thing to do: Sky Diving |
||
 |
Designer: Clare Moore Major: Textiles and Apparel Design, Public Relations, Business Foundations Minor Hometown: Allen, TX Name of Collection: Pavements Favorite Designer: Josep Font for Delpozo Plans after Graduation: either move to NY, London or Australia, hoping to be working for a designer on their social media team Fashion Internship: Last summer I worked on design with Katie Ermilio in NY and this summer I’ll be working with Ralph Lauren in their merchandising department Favorite junk food: Ben & Jerrys milk and cookies ice cream Bucket list thing to do: Learn how to surf in Australia |
||
 |
Designer: Tasneem Saifee Major: Textiles and apparel design and retail, Business Foundations, Minor in Korean Hometown: Norwich, Connecticut Name of Collection: Skylar Favorite Designer: Zuhair Murad Plans after Graduation: Probably try to find an internship in Seoul, Korea. I would like to start my own line after having ample amount of work experience under my belt. Favorite junk food: Reese’s pieces and pineapple Fanta Bucket list thing to do: Go to Korea, meet the cast of Running Man and LOTR, and be invited to become a part of Haute |
||
 |
Designer: Debby Garcia Major: Textiles & Apparel Retail Merchandising/ Apparel Design & Business Foundations Certificate Hometown: Mckinney, Texas Favorite Designer: Stag, Zuhair Murad, Marchesa, Ralph & Russo Plans after graduation: I plan on perusing my design internship in St. Louis this summer and spending my free time opening an etsy shop, then traveling to visit friends in Europe in between perusing my Retail Merchandising internship in New York City and settling there when I get my degree in December! Internship: My summer design internship will be at Weissman (global dance wear manufacturer), and my fall merchandising internship is still being finalized but hopefully in New York! Favorite Junk Food: I don’t really eat much junk food but my favorite snack is Brussel sprouts or edamame dipped in avocado mixed with hummus! Bucket List Thing To Do: My bucket list before leaving Austin is to zip-line across the lake! I also want to go wake boarding, sky diving, & start a vegan snack/beauty blog! |
||
 |
Designer: Rachel Baker Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Hometown: Beijing, China Name of Collection: Wink, Blink, Mod Favorite Designer: Currently Phoebe Philo and all time favorite Yves Saint Laurent Plans after Graduation: Eventually start my own brand Fashion Internship: Design internship with Billy Reid Favorite junk food: French Fries Bucket list thing to do: To have my clothing sold at Dover Street Market in Tokyo and Beijing. |
||
 |
Designer: Tiffany Chan Major: Textiles and Apparel Design; Plan II Honors Hometown: Austin, Texas Name of Collection: Vanguard Favorite Designer: Ralph & Russo, Zuhair Murad, Marchesa Plans after Graduation: I’m actually taking a fifth year to wrap up my degrees and will be completing my coursework abroad at Queen Mary University of London. Fashion Internship: Vivian Luk in Hong Kong (summer 2015) Favorite junk food: Pecan shortbread cookies Bucket list thing to do: Scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef |
||
 |
Designer: Taylor Litman Major: Textile and Apparel Design Hometown: Dallas, TX Name of Collection: Fringe With Benefits Favorite Designer: Opening Ceremony Plans after Graduation: Move to NYC and get into the fashion business! Fashion Internship: Styling warehouse where movies/tv shows/celebs go to be styled for a photoshoot or show/movie Favorite junk food: Bean and Cheese tacos Bucket list thing to do: Jump off a waterfall |
||
 |
Designer: Mario Salazar Major: Apparel, Functional, and Technical Design Hometown: Eagle Pass, TX Name of Collection: Relativity Favorite Designer: Calvin Klein Plans after Graduation: Intern in NYC Fashion Internship: pending Favorite junk food: Pastries will always make me happy. Pizza too! Bucket list thing to do: Travel to Iceland and see the Northern lights |
||
 |
Designer: Hannah Leonard Major: Apparel, Functional, and Technical Design Hometown: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Name of Collection: Carnaby Street Favorite Designer: Domenico Dolce and Steffano Gabbana Plans after Graduation: Moving to Seattle to work for Nordstrom Corporate in the Design department Fashion Internship: Previously interned with MILLY, Katherine Feiner, and Cotton Incorporated as a Trend Forecasting Intern Favorite junk food: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bucket list thing to do: Bungee jump off the highest bridge in New Zealand |
||
 |
Designer: Peter Middleton Major: Apparel Design Hometown: Austin Name of Collection: The New West Favorite Designer: Billy Reid Plans after Graduation: Internship in NYC Fashion Internship: Faherty Favorite junk food: Blue Bell ice cream Bucket list thing to do: Hike the John Muir Trail |
||
 |
Designer: Raluca Popoviciu |
||
 |
Designer: Kara Crosby Major: Textile and Apparel DesignHometown: Dallas, TX Name of Collection: Overtime Favorite Designer: Alexander McQueen Plans after Graduation: Work for a company in fashion I’m excited to see grow Fashion Internship: Flagpole Swim Favorite junk food: Pizza Bucket list thing to do: Travel to Iceland |
||
 |
Designer: Tré Miles
Major: Retail Merchandising w/a BFP & Design Minor Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX Name of Collection: Dress Code Favorite Designer: Shayne Oliver Plans after Graduation: Find a job in Fashion Show Production Favorite junk food: French Fries Bucket list thing to do: Travel to Tokyo |
||
 |
Designer: Victoria Espinoza Major: Journalism and Design Hometown: Lockhart, TX Name of Collection: Diamond in the Rough Favorite Designer: Calvin Klein Plans after Graduation: Moving to NYC Fashion Internship: Austin Fit Magazine Favorite junk food: Hot Cheetos Bucket list thing to do: Move to Europe |
 |
Designer: Marisa Garcia Major: Textiles and apparel design Hometown: San Antonio Name of Collection: Shred ‘Til You’re Dead Favorite Designer: Betsy Johnson Plans after Graduation: Visit California and work towards a career at Vans corporate design Fashion Internship: 3 Thirty with the raddest boss ever, Krystal Berry Favorite junk food: Hot Cheetos Bucket list thing to do: Skate Burnside DIY park in Portland and have my own skate clothing company someday! |
 |
Designer: Carolina Ramos Major: Apparel, Functional, & Technical Design Hometown: Laredo, TX Name of Collection: Bare Minimum Favorite Designer: Alexander Wang Plans after Graduation: Move to New York and intern/get a job in design Fashion Internship: Pending Favorite junk food: sour candy Bucket list thing to do: Live in Europe for a bit |
 |
Designer: Emily Noel Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Hometown: Colleyville, TX Name of Collection: Chinoiserie Favorite Designer: Naeem Kahn Plans after Graduation: Move to New York and work for a designer Fashion Internship: RHIÉ Favorite junk food: watermelon sour patch kids Bucket list thing to do: Travel to Thailand, I’ve always been fascinated by the country. |
 |
Designer: Paige Rahe Major: Apparel, Technical and Functional Design. Business Foundations Certificate Hometown: San Antonio, TX Name of Collection: The New Suit Favorite Designer: Zac Posen Plans after Graduation: Design internship in NYC Fashion Internship: Rebecca Taylor & J.Mendel Favorite junk food: chik fil a Bucket list thing to do: Skydive in Switzerland |
 |
Designer: Arlet Betancourt Major: Texiles and Apparel: Apparel Design Hometown: El Paso, TX Name of Collection: Reign Favorite Designer: Carolina Herrera Plans after Graduation: Probably move to Dallas and do some freelance work while I work on building up my bridal empire! Fashion Internship: Most likely gonna go to LA for an internship with Lucky Brand. Favorite junk food: I am obsessed with chips. My favorite flavor is Ruffles Cheese Bucket list thing to do: Visit the pyramids in Egypt |
