April 24, 2026
JCCC’s Fashion students showcase their skills, creativity, and inspiring collections.
Each spring, students in the Fashion Merchandising & Design program design, create, and showcase their original collections of looks for the annual JCCC 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, “Final Draft,” was held Friday, April 17, and featured the work of 10 student designers. The collections in the show reflected a variety of influences that included 1930s resort wear and medieval fantasy.
Turning fashion-forward students into runway-ready designers
Like previous years, the show's theme was chosen by the fashion design students. With ideas at the ready, the students were then free to design their collections, working within the show’s parameters: five 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 runway styling.
Students start working on their collections at the beginning of the fall semester, working right up until the month of the show, when the finishing touches are added. Students are required to work on their garments during class time, but also spend countless hours on their collections outside of the classroom, reaching out to their instructors for guidance as needed.
The first step for our students in developing their collections was to define a target customer and an inspiration concept. Students then sketched out their preliminary collection designs and began to narrow down fabric selections. 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 2026 Fashion Show were JCCC students who attended the casting call, but many students invited their friends and family to wear their designs on the runway.
From big dreams to striking designs
A huge part of the JCCC Fashion Show is not only celebrating fashion, but taking the time to celebrate the hard work and originality of our students.
One student, Sainey, fused cultural heritage with contemporary designs. Born in The Gambia and raised in America, her debut collection, Musoo Resort, drew inspiration from her upbringing.
“[My] collection features Cowrie shells and handcrafted gold accents made by local Gambian artisans which symbolize wealth, protection, beauty, and feminine power,” she said. “This collection weaves together global craftsmanship and West African storytelling to reflect heritage, migration, and the journey of becoming."
Another student designer, Addie, found her career calling in an unexpected place: a local vintage car show. There, she met a woman dressed in “true 1950s pinup style.” She began searching for garments that captured the era’s glamour, and when she couldn’t find exactly what she was looking for, taught herself to sew. Those one-of-a-kind garments are reflected in her collection, Vicious Vixen.
“Each piece is wearable and refined, providing the perfect foundation for personal styling with accessories,” she said.
And the winner is…
The students were evaluated by a panel of five judges, and the top three winners were announced at the end of the show. This year’s first-place winner was Alyx Vacca, whose collection was centered around their love of dragons and medieval times.
Alyx was excited to bring a modern take on fantasy-inspired fashion to the runway. It would be a challenge, but challenges have always inspired Alyx. When they were young, they became interested in learning knitting but were told it would be too hard. Eager to prove people wrong, Alyx not only learned knitting, but sewing and textile creation too!
Hand-knit pieces feature prominently in Alyx’s collection, intricately designed and reflective of dragon scales and armor.
“Each piece invites the viewer to imagine their own journey into a realm of modern fantasy, where stories unfold through texture, form, and imagination,” said Alyx.
Alyx will graduate in May and says they will fondly remember the camaraderie that developed inside the fashion department.
“My time at JCCC has been excellent,” said Alyx. “I will miss my professors very much. They often go above and beyond to answer my questions past the point of the curriculum just because I was curious and they wanted to help.”
Want to bring your own designs to life?
If you’re ready to pursue 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, technical design, or fashion marketing positions. Shape your future in fashion—apply today!