Meet the 2019 University of Texas Fashion Designers

It’s University of Texas Fashion Show week and you know all the senior designers are putting their last-minute fashion details on their collections for the big show. The twenty-eight senior design students will wind up of their senior year at UT to eventually move on to their respective internships and careers.

Model fittings

This show, “Matrix” will be held the Frank Erwin Center on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

The annual show, organized by The University Fashion Group, will feature up to 140 original designs featuring garments inspired by the student’s personal design aesthetic, couture-inspired structures and whimsy influences.

Matrix will feature cutting edge designs that include digital prints, couture techniques and sustainability. “This year’s show will feature a special collection in honor of the University Co-op which is returning as a founding and title sponsor,” says faculty member Ockhee Bego, Director of the UT Fashion Show.

Matrix will also feature game-day inspired garments in the Longhorn Fever segment of the show. Designers selected a UT Longhorn sports program to create a design that is both functional and comfortable while capturing the intrinsic nature of UT’s gameday spirit.

Additionally, the designers will feature a zero waste sustainability challenge. The 28 one of a kind designs will be composed of pre and post-consumer textiles. All materials used for this challenge were donated by the Houston non-profit, Magpies and Peacocks. TXA Assistant Professor, Jessica Ciarla, describes this assignment as vital to the fashion industry. There is as a growing need to “challenge the traditional methods of design and think about innovative solutions for the growing waste in the apparel industry”, said Ciarla.

Designer Carlie Roberson fitting her model

The designers will be competing for lots of Texas fashion bragging rights as they hand out several awards, such as Most Wearable Collection and the coveted Best Collection.

Prior to the show the “World of Textiles and Apparel” event, curated by Assistant Professor Gail Chovan will take place in the Lonestar room. This exhibition will feature student designs and research projects, as well as the entries for the Kendra Scott Design Challenge.

Doors open at 5:30 pm, the in-house opening will start at 7 pm and the show will be broadcast LIVE on The Longhorn Network at 7:30 pm.

Congratulations to all the designers and we will see you at the end of the runway!

Fashionably Austin is a proud supporter of the UT Fashion Show for 19 years.

UPDATE: Congratulations to all the designers who were recognized for their designs at the Matrix fashion show.

Matrix 2019 Awards
• Sustainable Wear, Honorable Mention: Aidan Beni
• Sustainable Wear, Best Design: Carlie Roberson
• Wearable Art, Honorable Mention: Lindsay Butler
• Wearable Art, Best Design: Christopher Johnson
• Mido Watches; Evening Wear Honorable Mention: Hunter Tanem
• Mido Watches; Best Evening Wear: Aidan Beni
• Austin-American Statesman; Bridal Wear Honorable Mention: John Goodman
• Austin-American Statesman; Best Bridal Wear: Rawan Al-Qarqaz
• The University Cooperative Society; Best Technical Collection Honorable Mention: Hunter Tanem & Donna Silverio
• The University Cooperative Society; Best Technical Collection: Mitchell Kerbow
• Most Innovative Collection Honorable Mention: Gunner Lewis & Nicholas Mojica
• Most Innovative Collection: Carlie Roberson
• The University Cooperative Society; Most Marketable Collection Honorable Mention: Sarah Kelly, Carol Lara & Ilana Wayne
• The University Cooperative Society; Most Marketable Collection: Lindsay Butler
• The University Cooperative Society; Best Collection 2019 Honorable Mention: Carlie Roberson
• The University Cooperative Society; Best Collection 2019: Mitchell Kerbow

	Designer: Donna Silverio Hometown: Houston, TX Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Guo Pei Most Memorable Memory at UT: Late nights in the sewing lab If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Graphic Design Favorite Junk Food: Instant ramen Plans after Graduation: Move to New York and continue designing The University Cooperative Society; Best Technical Collection Honorable Mention
	Designer: Mitchel Kerbow Hometown: Grapevine, TX Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Yohji Yamamoto Most Memorable Memory at UT: Seeing Sufjan Stevens at the Bass Performance Hall If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: I was headed towards Civil Engineering before I arrived in Fashion Favorite Junk Food: Fried Chicken all day Plans after Graduation: Intern in technical design in New York City BEST COLLECTION 2019
	Designer: Nick Mojica Hometown: San Antonio Major: Textile and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Virgil Abloh Most Memorable Memory at UT: Being able to experience college with my brother If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Culinary Favorite Junk Food: Sixlets Plans after Graduation: Gain experience with a company and gradually work towards my own brand Most Innovative Collection Honorable Mention
	Designer: Aidan Beni Hometown: Iraq Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Dior Most Memorable Memory at UT: Working with three different textiles professors that built my experience since day 1 at UT If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Art Favorite Junk Food: Chicken burger Plans after Graduation: Working with designers to increase my knowledge and one day, built my own brand Sustainable Wear, Honorable Mention and Mido Watches; Best Evening Wear
	Designer: Ilana Wayne Hometown: Atlanta, GA Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Changes all the time but currently Craig Green Most Memorable Memory at UT: Participating in TXA in Paris. Favorite Junk Food: Sour Skittles Plans after Graduation: Move to New York City to work as a designer. The University Cooperative Society; Most Marketable Collection Honorable Mention
	Designer: Anna Kraus Hometown: Allen, TX Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Ralph & Russo Most Memorable Memory at UT: Pulling all-nighters with all of the other designers If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Advertising Favorite Junk Food: Burgers Plans after Graduation: Continue with design—ideally bridal or activewear
	Designer: Lindsey Butler Hometown: Longview, Texas Major: Textiles and Apparel- Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Alessandro Michele or Brandon Maxwell Most Memorable Memory at UT: Watching the Longhorns play in DKR. If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Interior Design Favorite Junk Food: Sour Candy Plans after Graduation: I will be moving to Los Angeles in June and will hopefully have an internship by then! Wearable Art, Honorable Mention
	Designer: Bailey Berry Hometown: Decatur, TX Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Alexander Wang Most Memorable Memory at UT: Working under the direction of Professor Iris Apfel for the 2018 UT in NYC program If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Business Favorite Junk Food: Ben & Jerry’s Milk & Cookies ice cream Plans after Graduation: Moving to NYC to work for Collection XIIX
	Designer: A. Dio Greer Hometown: Austin, TX Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Alexander McQueen Most Memorable Memory at UT: Working in costume crafts If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Costume technology Favorite Junk Food: Zapp’s Voodoo flavored kettle chips Plans after Graduation: Looking for work as an ager/dyer on film sets
	Designer: Sarah Kelly Hometown: San Clemente California Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Maison Margiela Most Memorable Memory at UT: Study Abroad in Paris with my professor Gail If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Something in the fine arts department Favorite Junk Food: Jalapeno chips Plans after Graduation: Be a designer either in NY or CA The University Cooperative Society; Most Marketable Collection Honorable Mention
	Designer: Mattison Gotcher Hometown: McKinney, Texas Major: Textiles and Apparel Design/ Radio-Television-Film Favorite Designer: Maison Margiela Most Memorable Memory at UT: Studying Abroad in Costa Rica If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Architectural Design Favorite Junk Food: Cookies Plans after Graduation: To be a Costume Designer
	Designer: Kelly Brabant Hometown: Harrison, New York Major: Textiles and Apparel with a business minor Favorite Designer: Zimmermann Most Memorable Memory at UT: late nights in the sewing lab If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Art Favorite Junk Food: Sour cream and onion chips Plans after Graduation: Pursue a career in design wherever that takes me
	Designer: Mia Barrera Hometown: Grapevine, TX Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Colleen Atwood Most Memorable Memory at UT: Getting accepted into UT as a transfer student. If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Costume Tech or Theatre Favorite Junk Food: Pirates Booty Chips Plans after Graduation: Get a Job! Hire Me Please!!
	Designer: Hunter Tanem Hometown: Cleburne, TX Major: Radio-Television-Film with a minor in Textiles and Apparel Favorite Designer: Rei Kawakubo Most Memorable Memory at UT: Watching my flat pattern junior design piece walk the 2018 UT fashion show, “Dimension”. If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Studio Art Favorite Junk Food: Does chips and salsa count? Plans after Graduation: Continuing in design, hopefully, a career in couture The University Cooperative Society; Best Technical Collection Honorable Mention
	Designer: John Goodman Hometown: Victoria, TX Major: Textile and Apparel: Technical and Functional Design Favorite Designer: Alexander McQueen Most Memorable Memory at UT: A trip to NASA with AATCC to learn how the space suits are made and to explore innovative textiles for space exploration. If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Costume Technology Favorite Junk Food: Pizza Plans after Graduation: I am moving to New York to become a master pattern maker. Austin-American Statesman; Bridal Wear Honorable Mention
	Designer: Gunner Lewis Hometown: Houston Major: Textiles and Apparel Favorite Designer: Junya Watanabe Most Memorable Memory at UT: Making an entire three-piece collection If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Print Favorite Junk Food: Fries and a chocolate shake Plans after Graduation: Get a big boy job and make big money Most Innovative Collection Honorable Mention
	Designer: Daniela Guzman Hometown: McAllen, TX Major: Textiles & Apparel: Technical & Functional Design Favorite Designer: Gianni Versace Most Memorable Memory at UT: Meeting my lifelong friends If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Architecture Favorite Junk Food: Hot Cheetos with Cheese & some pickle juice Plans after Graduation: Internship, job and maybe graduate school
	Designer: Patty Lopez Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela and Christiansted, USVI Major: Textiles & Apparel: Technical & Functional Design Favorite Designer: Alexander McQueen Most Memorable Memory at UT: Making amazing friends in the TXA department If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Materials Engineering Favorite Junk Food: Chick-fil-A Plans after Graduation: Design apparel/accessories for a fashion company or research textiles and technology
	Designer: Carlie Roberson Hometown: McKinney, TX Major: Textiles & Apparel: Technical & Functional Design Favorite Designer: Iris Van Herpen Most Memorable Memory at UT: Late nights in the lab with my peers If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Interior Design Favorite Junk Food: Candy Plans after Graduation: Design job in NYC, Austin, or LA Sustainable Wear, Best Design
	Designer: Rawan Al-Qarqaz Hometown: San Antonio, TX Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Zuhair Murad Most Memorable Memory at UT: The friendships I’ve made If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Accounting Favorite Junk Food: Chili cheese fries Plans after Graduation: Move abroad to work for high end/couture designers or grad school for smart textiles Austin-American Statesman; Best Bridal Wear
	Designer: Sulhee Kim Hometown: Seoul, South Korea Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Christian Dior Most Memorable Memory at UT: Fashion show If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Psychology Favorite Junk Food: Spicy rice cake Plans after Graduation: Work in the fashion business
	Designer: Carol Lara Hometown: Edcouch-Elsa Tx Major: Textiles and Apparel Design Favorite Designer: Iris Van Herpen, Alexander McQueen Most Memorable Memory at UT: Designing alongside some of the most creative people I’ve ever met. If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Journalism Favorite Junk Food: Lime Hot Cheetos Plans after Graduation: Intern with Linda Asaf Designs The University Cooperative Society; Most Marketable Collection Honorable Mention
	Designer: Annelle Gonzalez-Cazares Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Major: Textiles and Apparel Favorite Designer: Betsey Johnson Most Memorable Memory at UT: Working at Starbucks and late night sewing adventures If I didn’t major in Fashion what would my major be: Dance, Nutrition, or Biology with a teaching track. Favorite Junk Food: Instant Korean Ramen Noodles Plans after Graduation: Internship in Austin, and developing my design aesthetic

Not pictured: Tara Bordbar, Gustavo Zamarripa, Amanda Arrisola, Molly Goldstein, Christopher Johnson.