May 19, 2025
JCCC’s Fashion students showcase their skills, creativity, and inspiring collections
Each spring, the second-year fashion students in JCCC’s Fashion Merchandising & Design program design, create, and showcase their original collection of designs for the annual fashion show. From the hand-sewn pieces to the runway music, the students – quite literally – piece together the entire show!
This year’s sold-out show, “True to Form,” was held Friday, April 18. It featured the work of 10 student designers, as well as individual pieces made by first-year students in the program’s draping course. The collections in the show reflected a variety of influences that included the aviation industry and Greek mythology.
Turning students into designers
Like previous years, the fashion show theme, “True to Form” was chosen by the program faculty then shared with students. With ideas at the ready, the students are then free to design their collection, working within the show’s parameters: six full looks, including a pair of pants, a jacket, etc. The framework ensures that each student can showcase their technical design skills, but beyond that, they enjoy full creative control over their collections, models, music, and the interpretation of the show’s theme.
Students start working on their collections at the beginning of the fall semester, working right up until the month of the show, where the finishing touches are added. Students are free to work on their garments in class time, but many also choose to spend time on their work outside of the classroom, reaching out to their instructors for guidance, as needed.
The first step for our students was designing their looks. Some students drew ideas by hand, while others used computer-aided tools to sketch out their preliminary collection designs. The next stage involved the students choosing their models and taking detailed measurements, allowing them to bring their garment prototypes to life. Some of the models at the 2025 fashion show are JCCC students who attended the Fashion Show casting call, but many students invited their friends and family to wear their designs on the runway.
From busy lives to big dreams
A huge part of the JCCC fashion show is not only celebrating fashion but taking the time to celebrate the hard work and perseverance of our students.
One fashion student, Ebony, shared the moment with her daughter and her coworker’s daughter, who both modeled her collection for the show. Ebony works full-time at an area healthcare clinic but has always wanted to pursue a degree in fashion. Although busy, Ebony explained that her job has been very supportive while she’s balanced her studies, work, and life for nearly two years. She started imagining her collection by picking her fabrics first, deciding to feature lots of florals and streetwear looks, but with a decidedly feminine vibe.
Another student designer, Emily, also has her hands full. As the Vice President of Product Operations for Charlie Hustle, she oversees garment development and the design team. Her company encouraged her to finish her fashion degree, which she started working on more than a decade ago. Emily’s collection focuses on gender-inclusive pieces made entirely from deadstock fabrics – fabric left over from the fashion industry that would have otherwise gone to waste.
2025 first place winner
The students were evaluated by a panel of three judges who announced the fashion show’s top three winners at the end of the evening. This year’s first-place winner was Rachel Wisnewski, whose collection was inspired by Persephone, the Greek goddess of the underworld.
Like many of her classmates, Rachel chose her fabrics first. Although she was inspired to use velvets, flowy fabrics, and knitted materials, Rachel had to get creative, knowing she’d need more structured fabric choices for her design silhouettes. When she first began sewing her garments, she used a stiff muslin fabric to sew the prototypes. She was able to work around the differences, learned a new skill, and made a big impact on the judges by incorporating corsetry in her collection. She learned how to make corsets by watching tutorials on YouTube and TikTok.
After she graduates in May, Rachel plans to take a creativity break to decompress after the fashion show. Her favorite part of fashion design is imagining, sketching, and bringing her ideas to life, so we can’t wait to see where she’ll go next!
Want to bring your own designs to life?
If you know someone who is interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry, look no further than JCCC. Our Fashion Merchandising & Design curriculum prepares you for a career in retail management, retail sales, apparel design, illustration, or market representative positions.