En Route with Mt. Mary fashion students

Mount Mary has one of the top fashion design programs in the nation. Each year, the college hosts a runway show, offering student designers the opportunity to show their work to the public. This year’s show was held at the Marcus Center, after Mt. Mary made the decision to move downtown to increase their visibility and give the show a more authentic feel. They succeeded.

This year’s theme, En Route, was created by the students to parallel the runway with an urban expressway. Sandra Keiser, Chair of the Fashion Department, expressed that the theme symbolized the beginning of the budding designers’ journey, and blends that concept with global influences such as travel and urban life.

The show started with “Coasting,” representing that point in our lives when it’s time to relax and refuel.

Designer Malika Lor was inspired by origami and 3-D flowers, reflected in a collection which she titles “Transformed.” She uses vibrant colors and detailed smocking techniques to make her collection stand out. Malika also won the Outstanding Collection award from Target Corp.

I have to mention the absolutely adorable child outfits which the designer created for her nieces and nephew. She used light colors that remind you of playing outside on long summer days. I hate to say it, but the kids stole the show!

 

The next segment of the show is “Detour” which diverts us off the beaten path of everyday life and teaches us about the diverse cultural fabric of Milwaukee.

A collection inspired by the “urban hunter” included eclectic designs made from various textiles, like a shredded sweater dress (love) and a guy’s look which includes a fur vest that resembles deer hide. I’m not sure if I’m loving the guy’s vest ,but the shredded sweater dress has a great edge to it.

I had the chance to chat with senior student designer Nicole LaBrie before the show about her bike (think “messenger”) inspired designs. Nicole’s line marries fashion with function — it’s practical for bicyclists, and at the same time very stylish. In the future, she says she’d like to start a line for female bike messengers so they’ll have feminine, fun options to wear.

Nicole, who absolutely loves Milwaukee (she has Milwaukee County tattooed on her calf) believes that biking gives a person a sense of unweighted freedom. Her pieces are all about convertibility with pants that zip off to capris and shorts and capes that turn into long skirts. Cool.

On the runway, Nicole LaBrie struts her stuff in a moss grey dress that includes biker shorts, dropped stitch sweater and a cape that turns into a long skirt. It’s all about options!

I absolutely loved another collection inspired by Sierra Leone, the designer’s homeland. The fabrics are gorgeous and her detail work is very well done. She hopes someday to develop a fair-trade company.

Next up, “Rush Hour” — the part of the show that gives us a taste of  life in the fast lane.

Megan Zeman’s “Texture Mapping” shows her attention to detail and expert tailoring. The different strips of fabric remind me of the strips of highway (although these days with all of the construction you can’t rush anywhere).

This color blocked (very hot trend this spring) collection is eye catching and shows many design techniques including cutouts, felting and draping. The designer won the “Outstanding Tailoring Award” and it’s easy to see why.

In the “Gridlock” portion of the show, which is inspired by different types of music, a heavy metal collection caught my eye.

The details are very well done and the jacket with the spikes on it are a must have on my list. Love it!

Last but definitely not least, the final portion of the show featured a silk evening dress with bling and hand embroidered flower details. Yia Xiong won the “Best of Show” award from Boston Store. It’s easy to see why. If I were in Hollywood, I would put this on my Award Show list of dresses I want for clients. Entirely lovely!

Mount Mary, you’ve outdone yourself! Congratulations to all of the student designers. Go forth and conquer (the fashion world, that is)!

I wanted to give a shout out for the wonderful presentation playing throughout the show produced by Logan Productions. The photography that was used was done by students in the Fashion Show Coordination Class — Segment Photography Committee, with assistance from Diane Yokes, Yokes Photography.