Back in September when I first met UT fashion design student Tilde Snyder, she was wearing a skirt made from an XXL hamburger printed shirt she got at Walmart and was discussing her desire to create a Tex-Mex inspired fashion collection. Obviously this was enough to get me excited about seeing the final collections from this year’s batch of fashion design students even months before the annual Spring show.
Even if I hadn’t met Tilde though, my enthusiasm for the UT Fashion Show still would have been high because it’s the one show in Austin that never disappoints. Each year brings a different crop of unique students with their own visions, so design-wise you never know specifically what you are going to see. However, what you can always expect from the event is a well-produced runway show with energy, creativity, and innovation.
This year the UT Fashion Show was titled “Spectrum,” enforcing the idea that even within this year’s group of students itself, was a variety of ideas and design aesthetics. Once again I was impressed by the level of talent and skill each one of these new designers possess, but of course there are always a few designers that go above and beyond to make themselves stand out. One of my favorite collections of the night was from Michelle Nokeo Twite.
Michelle Nokeo Twite’s 3-piece Collection
Twite’s collection was one of the most cohesive with a solid vision. Her style of “sophisticated comfort” was well executed and very wearable. She designed in grey scale but used varying fabric textures to keep things interesting and rich. A pop of color and print was carried out through the accessories tying everything together. Plus, Twite designed one kids look which was very adorable and little-girl appropriate, yet still sophisticated and fitting with her theme.
Her 3-piece collection walked away with an Honorable Mention Award for Most Marketable, but Twite was also the Winner of the Active Sportswear Award.
Michelle Nokeo Twite, Best Active Sportswear
Anh Nguyen was my other favorite of the night, showing a 3-piece collection that was, for lack of better fashion show adjectives, fierce. Anh walked away with the Lexus (sponsor plug!) Award for Best Collection of the night with his sophisticated, yet edgy designs.
Anh Nguyen’s 3-piece Collection, Best Collection Award
While his 3-piece collection was certainly enough to impress me, it was his bridal gown that really blew me away. Anh’s bridal gown, which was awarded Best Bridal, was classic in silhouette, yet updated with the use of sheer and a plunging neckline. What I loved about this design was that Anh created a feminine pretty bridal gown, while still staying true to his own design aesthetic which is modern and a little edgy.
Anh Ngyen’s, Best Bridal Gown
One of the things this group of students really excelled at was bridal and evening gowns. There were so many fabulous dresses this year! Some other favorites of the night:
Madeline Hart, Winner Evening Gown
Ellese Castillo, Honorable Mention Evening Gown
Ronit Joselevitz, Honorable Mention Evening Gown
Lizzie Stratton, Honorable Mention Evening Gown
Tilde Snyder
Derly Gonzales
Ashley Isokpehi
Jordan Jennings
Katherine Fagan
Natalie Poche
Adding some diversity to the show, Mercedes Contrera was the only designer to show a plus-sized collection. It’s always fun and refreshing to see some different sized models walking a runway.
Mercedes Contrera
Other winning looks of the night:
Lizzie Stratton, Best Technical
Anne Lawrence, Honorable Mention Best Collection
Alexandra Kelly, Most Marketable
Ashley Isokpehi, Honorable Mention Best Technical
Natalie Poche, Most Innovative
Ronit Joselevitz, Most marketable, Honorable Mention Best Collection
photography by Peter Tung
Congrats to all the graduating UT fashion design students, and to all the University Fashion Group members who helped put this show together. It was another fabulous year!
Joanna Wilkinson
keep austin stylish