FASHION SHOW 2024
Design & Merchandising
where creativity and STEM converge
The Department of Design and Merchandising, in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University, focused on holistic learning experiences and skill development while embracing diverse cultural/global perspectives, innovative technologies, and experiential learning.
Students participate in community service-learning projects, design and research competitions/shows, industry events, department-led study tours, internships, and student organizations.
Our Apparel and Merchandising Program is accredited by the Textile Apparel Program Accreditation Commission and our Interior Architecture and Design Program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Both programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
The Nancy Richardson Design Center houses our main office, design labs, computer labs, and the RDC fabrications labs. The Gifford Building features classrooms, computer labs, apparel construction labs, an exhibition gallery, and textile science labs. The Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising houses 25,000 historically significant items of dress, textiles, and interior artifacts representing regional, national, and international cultures. The museum has collection storage/workspace, a textile conversion lab, a classroom, and three galleries for textile and clothing exhibitions.
Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Merchandising
With concentrations in: Apparel Design and Production Merchandising
Product Development
Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Design
Master of Science in Design and Merchandising
With specializations in: Apparel and Merchandising Interior Design
A Note from our Department Head
On behalf of the Department of Design and Merchandising, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our 2024 fashion show, Walk the Kaleidoscope. We are honored to have our University administrators, alumni, donors, industry partners, former colleagues, families, and friends join us for tonight’s show.
Thank you for joining us tonight to support our students’ achievements. The show will kick off with a collection of garments designed for Colorado State University President, Amy Parsons, which highlight the creativity of students enrolled in AM 341 – Patternmaking II and AM 342 –CAD Textile Design. That collection will be followed by a presentation of repurposed garments created from Spyder outdoor wear by students in AM 340 – Draping. The main event will feature 17 signature collections created by students in AM 446 – Apparel Design and Production Capstone under the guidance of Assistant Professor Kayna Hobbs-Murphy. Students enrolled in DM 474 - Fashion Show Production and Event Planning are responsible for the production and promotion of tonight’s show.
Design and Merchandising Faculty and Staff
Ryadi Adityavarman Associate Professor
Lida Aflatoony Assistant Professor
Paula Alaszkiewicz
Assistant Professor and Curator, Avenir Museum
Kendra Allen Director of Academic and Administrative Operations and Instructor
Joan Anderson Internship Coordinator and Instructor
Marcus Appleby Industry Liaison and Instructor
Doreen Beard Director of Operations and Engagement, Avenir Museum
Kate Bedford Instructor
Sandra Chisholm Instructor
Laura Cole Associate Professor
Maria Delgado Assistant Professor
Sonali Diddi Associate Professor, Core Affiliate Faculty, School of Global Environmental Sustainability
Sara Dudek Communications & Events Coordinator
Brittany Engert Academic Success Coordinator
Gabrielle Friesen Collections Database Coordinator, Avenir Museum
Crystal Hart Administrative Assistant
Kayna Hobbs-Murphy Assistant Professor
Karen Hyllegard Professor and Department Head
Kevin Kissell Assistant Professor
Jain Kwon Assistant Professor
Emily Leck Internship Coordinator
Yan Vivian Li Associate Professor
Sarah Lillis Education Programs Coordinator, Avenir Museum
Heejin An Lim Assistant Professor
Laura Malinin Associate Professor, Director, RDC Erin Meier Academic Success Coordinator
Kristen Morris Associate Professor
Megan Osborne Assistant Curator and Collections Manager, Avenir Museum
Jennifer Paff Professor
David Russon Instructor
Leah Scolere Assistant Professor
Kami Stutzman Instructor
Lisa Switzer Instructor
Anthony Vecchiarelli Business Officer
Ruoh-Nan (Terry) Yan Professor
Meet the Apparel Design and Production Capstone Class
Kayna Hobbs-Murphy, Ph.D.
Morgan Davis Instructor Graduate Teaching Assistant
In my role as Assistant Professor and Instructor for the Senior Apparel Design Capstone, I have had the distinct pleasure of overseeing the technical realization of our students' design visions. Drawing on my past experience as an Associate Runway Ready-to-Wear Patternmaker at J Mendel, I've brought a slice of the atelier's discipline and craft to the classroom, focusing on the essentials of patternmaking, fit, and construction. My expertise in these areas has been pivotal in helping students refine their work from the initial sketch to the final stitch. As we present their collections today, I am proud to celebrate the convergence of their creative designs with the practical artistry that I am passionate about—truly a reflection of the sophistication and rigour that the fashion industry demands.
Morgan Davis has been an exemplary Graduate Teaching Assistant whose dedication and design talents have been fundamental to the success of this year’s Senior Apparel Design Capstone course. Her precision in construction and design, paired with her coordination of the judging panel and fashion show preparations, has set a new standard of excellence. As the curtains rise on the collections, Morgan’s mark on this event is unmistakable. With her multifaceted skills and a future that’s bright, Morgan is destined to make a significant impact, be it in apparel or any path she carves out for herself.
President Parsons’ Collection
We are pleased to start the show with the President Parsons’ Collection, a custom-designed apparel line. In Fall 2023, students enrolled in Patternmaking III, taught by David Russon, and Computer-Aided Textile Design, taught by Kevin Kissell, created original garments and textile prints inspired by President Parsons’ sensational style. Students used innovative technologies including our 3D body scanner, digital textile printing, and CLO 3D software to gather measurement information, create innovative textile designs, develop custom patterns, and construct one-of-a-kind garments. This line showcases President Parsons’ CSU spirit which she will wear at various university and community events.
Student Design Teams
Abby Babb and Megan Greenly
Dylan Barber and Johnathan Hong
Bridget Brown and Carly Copeland
Alexandra Evans and Sheree Larrabee
Katie Gordon and Kellie Price
Spencer Gordon and Sophie Scott
Abbie LoNigro and Hannah Malers
Jack Mahoney and Ella McBride
Nathalia Olvera-Barajas and Karina Usuda
Kennedy Magalhaes and Angelina Montoya
2024 Designers
Helena Piper
Piper Kittersong’s collection aims to shine a light on the progress that the queer community has made, as well as the compartmentalization of the community, worsened by the presence of social media and technology. Piper designed her collection with physical disabilities and sensory disorders in mind, allowing every consumer to wear her designs, while feeling comfortable and self-sufficient! Last semester Piper Interned with Create Good Co, a local apparel brand that specializes in repurposed apparel.
Helena Guynn’s collection is called Absent Minded, a contemporary streetwear collection inspired by street art and graffiti to showcase the optimism of the art form. She incorporated unique media such as liquid rubber, into her garments to show her creativity. She interned at Alexis Drake this past spring semester and sees herself in many different sectors of the fashion industry including bridal/evening wear, streetwear, and even the outdoor apparel industry.
Cecilia
Caelan
Cecilia Kastner (she/they) is an Honors Student with a minor in Women and Gender Interdisciplinary Studies. She specializes in synthesizing multiple perspectives of the world to create clothing for people that works to renourish our relationship with the Earth. Their 5-look collection, Desolate, displays outdoor survival gear designed with both extreme winter sports enthusiasts and people who are unhoused in mind – in a darkly ironic way, both demographics require similar apparel.
Caelan Chamberlain (she/her) has always been passionate about clothing, sustainability, and feminism. Her collection aims to honor and serve women of all body types and celebrate their beauty. During her time at CSU she has pursued a minor in Global Environmental Sustainability as well as a Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Merchandising. She cannot wait for what is coming next.
Valerie Lauren
Lauren Donahue graduated in December 2023. Lauren has plans to one day join an apparel design team. To help reach this goal, Lauren completed two design internships, one with Anabella Poletti and another with Steve Sells Studios. Lauren’s collection, Artifact, is inspired by the Indian Saree and textiles used within Western fashion. Enjoy!
was inspired by her favorite show growing up, Avatar: The Last Airbender. White Lotus is a collection based off the four elements – Water, Earth, Fire, and Air – and is composed almost entirely of natural fabrics and dyes. Valerie believes the future of fashion requires looking to our histories and reconnecting with natural materials. The goal with her collection is to utilize the Earth and its elements to create a sustainable and unique style while using alternative methods that educate others about pollution caused by the textile industry.
Kate
Samantha Kate Ulibarri (she/hers) is a fifth year student from Parker, Colorado. Her interest in fashion stems from her love of cosplay and a drive to refine her skillset.
Her collection, Sobre Todo (Above All), is a women’s wear line that explores the dynamics of cultural homelessness and celebrates Latin-American women. After participating in El Centro and The Patchwork Initiative, she aims to go into industry with the plan to create her own business.
Shay Callie
Callie Hartel (she/her) is a CSU senior from Berthoud, Colorado. She worked at the CSU Costume Shop during her time at CSU. Her collection, NYDC Co., focuses on reinventing business casual for outside the office. NYDC Co., Not Your Dad’s Closet, is an all-wear event-wear line with adjustability features for size inclusivity and is made from second-hand clothing to prioritize sustainability. She looks forward to continuing her career either in fashion or costume design.
Shay Smith (she/her/hers), grew up in snowy Park City, Utah. Shay secured an internship at Cariloha, a brand located in Kauai, Hawaii. IMY collection is where rebellion meets eleganceinspired by the 1920s rebels in the boys yachting pants and infused with 1990s streetwear vibes through curated textiles like denim. Shay's designs radiate empowerment, individuality, and self-expression, aiming to boost women's confidence and redefine rebellion. She envisions her future career working as a fashion designer or the founder of her own fashion empire.
Finn Kat
Finn Stowers is a fashion designer, musician, and lover of outdoor activities. The Durango, Colorado-born designer joined the Fort Collins music scene immediately after beginning school at CSU but noticed a disconnection between fashion and music. In Finn’s final capstone collection “Crescendo”, he attempts to blend the industries of music and fashion together by creating, “performance-wear,” garments made to provide touring musicians with comfort, style, and accessibility.
Kat Everest is a student from Oakland, Michigan. She has also completed an Apparel Product Development Capstone. Both collections showcase a blend of style and function in modern street style inspired by punk music and the 60’s/70’s punk rock scene. With experience as a fashion stylist assistant and receiving assistant at Ava Lane Boutique, Kat aims to transition into a technical designer role post-graduation.
Riley Silvana
Riley Quast’s collection “Crystalid” combines inspiration from Japanese manga artist Hirohiko Araki and the vibrant colors and intricate patterns found in bugs. The street-wear brand focuses on individuality with the goal of creating clothing anyone can feel comfortable in regardless of gender.
“Crystalid” combines “chrysalis” – the stage when an insect is in a cocoon before its transformation – and “crystallize” – to make or become definite and clear. Riley’s “Crystalid” collection encourages its wearers to transform into their unique selves.
Silvana Cano Hernández was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. Silvana has been sewing since she was 6 and has been making her own clothes for a couple years. Her main interest is fashion history and costume design. The brand
“Mamachia” is inspired by her great grandmother and its main focus is to inspire women. This project is based on adjustability and sustainability. The clothes were designed to change size to accommodate the ever changing body of a woman. Targeted for women 45 to 60, this line is inspired by celestial bodies like the moon and stars.
Natalie Taylor
collection is called NV me, which is a high luxury womenswear collection inspired by the luxury of Champs Elysees located in 18th arrondissement in Paris, France. Her pieces are designed to make the wearer feel confident and sexy while being empowered and beautiful. She recently completed a design internship in Paris, France in summer 2023 at Chaussettes
Orphelines. Once graduated, she plans on looking for a career in design within an upscale company.
(she/her/hers) has earned a Design Thinking certificate along with her degree here at CSU. Her collection is called Reclaim and is inspired by the idea of nature reclaiming architecture, exploreing the ways in which the natural world interacts with the man-made world through the contrast of structured, clean, and strict design elements and more natural, organic, and textured design elements. Taylor is starting her design internship this summer and is excited to explore more apparel design opportunities from there.
Juliet
has been developing her brand, Capulet, since 2021, curating her business and designer presence. Her debut collection, Trousseau, offers special occasionwear with bridal emphasis. Techniques of eco-printing, jewelry making, and 3D printing, were utilized to innovate customization and versatility, allowing consumers to adjust pieces to serve multiple occasions. She strives to implement these circular design practices in the industry and promote intentional productconsumer relationships through custom
VOTE FOR FAN FAVORITE
AM 340 Patternmaking II
These garments were created by students in AM 340 Patternmaking II - Draping, who repurposed thrift goods and materials from outdoor-wear donated by Spyder to create fab-forward fashions. This line of individual designer garments is an excellent example of how fashion can be bold and eco-friendly simultaneously.
Student Designers
Arjun Antal, Ryan Baker, Sunny Collins, Emilie Filloon, Faith Fletcher, Hibba Haghegh, Ingriss Hernandez, Chloe Iverson, Holly Kanon, Jessica Magalit, Amy Moore, Logan Mourek, Kenna Neyland, Meredith Paulson, Alexa Pizzuti, Jessi Renberger, Kamila Salcido, Savannah Sand, Ashley Singer,
Anna Peshock
No Limbits
Director of Product Development
Meet the Judges
Laurel Schaffer
VIV Refashioned Couture
Founder
Byron Edwards
Spyder
Product Developer
Tiffany Fox Mammut
Commercial Director
Annabella Poletti
Anabella Poletti
Design House
Founder
Emma Connelly
Smartwool
Product Developer
Amber Reaves
The Fuzz Knitting
Founder/Owner
JR Flores
Dillard’s Creative Director for Menswear
DM 474 Fashion Show Production &
Instructors:
Kayna Hobbs-Murphy & David Russon
TA: Morgan Davis
Abby Babb, Morgan Davis, Alexandra Evans, Caitlin Fuller, Angelle Guilbeau, Joselle Gyamfi, Ingriss Hernandez, Latifah Hirchi-Vogl, Johnathan Hong, Matt Kovacs, Sheree Larrabee, Mackenzie Mackin, Gisselle Marban-Tellez, Mia Mazokopos, Celia Mendralla, Priscilla Morris, Nathalia Olvera-Barajas, Kaitlann Osburn, Gabriella Panfil, Alexa Pizzuti, Jessi Renberger, Kadin Siddiqui, Tamar Smith, Karina Usuda
Garment & Modeling Chair
Latifah Hirchi-Vogl is a senior majoring in Apparel and Merchandising with a concentration in Apparel Design and Production. She feels lucky to play a part in presenting the collections from the senior class. She is excited to explore various career paths in the industry, such as design, education, or museum work.
Sponsorships & VIP Reception Chair
Mackenzie Mackin is a senior majoring in Apparel and Merchandising with a Merchandising concentration. She has always loved fashion design and event planning. Some of her interests include thrifting, going to concerts, and traveling. Mackenzie is looking forward to graduating this spring and pursuing a career in a new city.
Set & Stage Design Chair
Gabriella Panfil is a sophomore studying Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Merchandising. Gabriella has designed sets, styling, and modeling for photoshoots. With her and her team's hard dedication, they were able to showcase the students work brightly. Gabriella looks forward to seeing what next year's team comes up with.
Publicity & Promotion Chair
Caitlin Fuller is a junior majoring in Apparel and Merchandising with a concentration in
Euan Peart, Ruby Milner, Kate Maloney, Sabrina Ledford, Caleigh Glassmaker, Harper Wines, Kennedy Lewallen, Sophia Shelkovich, Grace Fowler, Sunny Collins, Zach Fockler, Kealoha Rumion, Ethan Le, Sophia McElroy, Lisa Slick, Elena Hicks, Kate Falcone, Kate Cashen, Arjun Antal, Michael Spacone, Vanni Aceiz, Sofie Falbo, Ellie Guthart, Angela Herrera, Nina Harrington, Isabela Goodridge, Meredith Paulson, Grace Sloan, Ava Schwartz, Daniella Munoz, Meron Siyoum, Alli Páez, Olivia Laine, Donovan del Rosario, Jo'Coy Byrd, Ethan Bowman, Iraylis Suarez, Darren Cull, Paige Whitteker, Salem Dietrich, Caine Ohlgren, Kelly Larson, Riley Quast, Cynthia Padgett, Elise Justine Golyer, Harshitha Ginne, Angelina Montoya, Nura'dyn Abdullaah, Macy Larson, Will French, Lia Walker, Henry Reed, Sam Marek, Eli Hopper, Ezra Gordon, Billy Chavez, Ellen Francis, Peyton Grant, Molly Carroll, Caylani Falbo, Faith Glassmaker, Emma Cookman, Tamar Smith, Lillie Pooler, Justin Thoureen, Justin Goss, Rachel Shirlaw, Luke Fowler, Liam Bauer, Faith Fletcher, Hannah Martin, Ashlyn, Lex Harrison, Easton G, Taya Weatherford, Amy Moore, Isabel Ong, Andrew Adams, Roger Perkins, Ana Morris, Lexi Maginski, Ryan Crowell, Alex Kotaba, Annika Lister, Elizabeth Higgs, Quatia Thompson, Eleigna Hamari, Megan Barron, Melena Vanderperren, Jacob Hall, Aaron Fowler, Elisha Xiao-Kim, Amanda Thomas, Hannah Clark, Milia Perrett, Sophia Paige
Bronze Sponsor
Karen Hyllegard
Nancy Hartley
Steve KuglerBard March and the Don and May Wilkins Charitable Trust
Emillie Filloon, Hibba Haghegh, Gabriel Castro, Lillie Pooler, Alena Kozul, Iva Kozul, Ella Alexander, Julia Morrow, Ava Busot, Meg Carroll, Alejandra Acevedo, Paige Whitteker, Sophia Jennings, Carlee Strub, Allison Pruitt, Shewa Jibowu, Kaveri, Lashay, Ellie Keating