City Strut Fashion Show

Department Of Design And Merchandising

The Department of Design and Merchandising, in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University, offers academic programs focused on a holistic learning experience that fosters knowledge 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 of the International Textile and Apparel Association 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 is home to the DM main office, design labs, computer labs, a design library, and the RDC fabrications labs that support experiential learning. The neighboring Gifford Building features classrooms, computer labs, apparel construction labs, an exhibition gallery, and textile science labs. The Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, located in the University Center for the Arts, houses 25,000 historically and culturally significant items of dress, textiles, and interior artifacts representing regional, national, and international cultures. The museum features collection storage/workspace, a textile conservation lab, a classroom, and a library/conference room, 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 2023 fashion show, City Strut: The Sidewalk is Your Catwalk. We are thrilled to have our University administrators, alumni, donors, former colleagues, families, and friends join us for this year’s show. City Strut captures the “hustle and bustle” of urban life and reflects the diverse attitudes and styles of the city. The show kicks off with parachute-inspired garments created by third-year students in AM 340 - Draping. The main event features signature collections created by 17 students in the Apparel Design and Production concentration, including punk rock fashion, ’90s club attire, western wear, and yoga athleisure.

Students are formally admitted to the Apparel Design and Production concentration through a portfolio review process. They created their apparel design collections in the senior capstone course in fall 2022 under the guidance of Assistant Professor, Kevin Kissell. These collections represent the culmination of four years of learning and illustrate students’ mastery of fashion illustration, pattern making, draping, computer-aided design, and creative design. Students enrolled in DM 474 - Fashion Show Production and Event Planning are responsible for the production and promotion of tonight’s show. Thank you for joining us tonight to support our students’ achievements.

Dr. Karen Hyllegard Professor & Department Head

Design and Merchandising Faculty

Ryadi Adityavarman

IAD Associate Professor

Dr. Lida Aflatoony

AM Assistant Professor

Dr. Paula Alaszkiewicz

AM Assistant Professor & Avenir Curator

Kendra Allen

Director of Academic & Administrative Operations

Dr. Joan Anderson

AM Internship Coord. & Instructor

Marcus Appleby

IAD Industry Liason & Instructor

Doreen Beard

Avenir Museum

Director of Operations

Kate Bedford

IAD Instructor

Sandra Chisholm

AM Adviser & Instructor

Dr. Laura Cole

IAD Assistant Professor

Dr. Sonali Diddi

AM Associate Professor

Sara Dudek

Communications & Events Coord.

Brittany Engert

Academic Success Coord.

Gabrielle Friesen

Avenir Collections

Database Coord.

Crystal Hart Administrative Assistant

Kevin Kissel

AM Assistant Professor

Dr. Jain Kwon

IAD Assistant Professor

Dr. Kayna Hobbs-Murphy

AM Assistant Professor

Dr. Karen Hyllegard Professor & Dept. Head

Emily Leck

IAD Internship Coord.

Dr. Yan (Vivian) Li

AM Associate Professor

Sarah Lillis

Avenir Education Programs Coord.

Dr. Laura Malinin

IAD Associate Professor

Erin Meier

Academic Success Coord.

Dr. Kristen Morris

AM Associate Professor

Dr. Jennifer Ogle

AM Professor

Megan Osborne

Avenir Assistant Curator & Collections Manager

Dr. Leah Scolere

IAD Assistant Professor

Kami Stutzman

IAD Instructor

Lisa Switzer

IAD Instructor

Anthony Vecchiarelli

Business Officer

Dr. Ruoh-Nan (Terry) Yan

Dr. Maria Delgado

IAD Assistant Professor

AM Professor

Meet the SeniOr Apparel Design & PrOductiOn Class

Kevin Kissel

Assistant PrOfessOr Instructor for Senior Apparel Design CapstOne

I am an assisstant professor and my focus is in fashion and textile design. My formal education is in Art History, Fiber Arts, and Fashion Design. I have worked as a fashion desginer in the studio, and also as a visual merchandiser in the field. I push my students to find their creative voice, because without creativity, we are just making clothes. The fashion show exhibits four years of demanding work in the design studio. For the design students, it showcases their growth as creative thinkers and problem solvers. For the department, it shows our dedication and commitment to the craft of fashion design. It’s also a celebration bringing everyone together.

In Order Of Colletion’s Appearance

Emma LOng

Tiller Goods

Emma Long’s love for fashion began when she was a child sitting in her mother’s closet. She has always been drawn to clothing and what it means and remembers feeling awe as a child about how her mother looked when she wore clothing. In 2019 she was in a car accident and had to take a year break from school to heal. This experience was pivotal to her pursuit of apparel design and led her to start her own web design and development business. Her inspiration for her collection Toccare is Johannes Vermeer’s painting: Girl with a Pearl Earring and the hidden meaning of being unknown, undefined, and not belonging to a time or place.

2023 Designers Elias Weisz

FOur FlOOrs Apart

The idea of Four Floors Apart came about as a reflection of Elias’ life leading up to this moment. The concept focuses on telling a story of progression through chaos. With details of aesthetic stitching and hand-dyed fabrics, Elias’ collection is an expression of individuality and a visual representation of success through adversity. Elias hopes that this is his first collection of many, with plans to stay in the design side of menswear.

Tiaria HOskins

Twinge

Tiaria Hoskins is a designer and self-taught visual artist who grew up in Denver, Colorado. She is in the Apparel and Merchandising program with a concentration in Apparel Design & Production and will be graduating with her B.S. in Design and certificate in Business Administration. At the age of 12, she began studying and exploring various art forms within an academic environment. In addition to her coursework and projects, she has worked backstage at various fashion shows and events, served two separate roles within Fashion Group International, interned at Steve Sells studio, and provided alteration services. She has a strong appreciation for all aesthetics and often draws inspiration from film, music, and experiences to make amazing works of art come to life.

2023 Designers Zach Stevens

A Wear

Zach Stevens brings in 23 years of retail and management experience to the fashion industry. He is also a proud dad and inspiring fashion designer. Cultures, history, music, and nature inspire his work. His creative designs and pattern making set him apart from the mainstream. Innovative utilitarian designs help drive his design process. Improving and creating something new and functional excites him and fuels his designs. Color, pattern, punk rock, and rebellious art are consistent themes for his collection. His passion for design and rebel aesthetic are quite obvious in his work.

Cierra Wright

Ghastly

Cierra Wright was born in Littleton, Colorado. Growing up, her parents introduced her into punk rock which grew into her love of punk alternative clothing. After researching punk throughout the decades, she came upon a group of 90s dance club personalities called the “club kids’’ who were huge influencers to underground subcultures. Cierra was inspired to create a collection based on 90s fashion, music, gender, media, and pop culture. She wanted to create this brand as there are few stores catering to alternative clothing. After graduation, she hopes to expand her brand and create something big that she will enjoy doing for the rest of her life.

Graeme MacInnis

SimulatiOn 007

Graeme MacInnis is a menswear designer from Lakewood, Colorado. His philosophy is to always push the line of what men traditionally wear while still making them feel at home in their clothing with timeless menswear elements as seen in his capstone collection “SIMULATION 007” and award-winning Fashion Scholarship Fund collection “PsClo.” Graeme engages with the CSU community by coordinating clothing swaps and other creative events with his friends and other students across all majors in an effort to bring creatives together.

Hudson Courtney

TOOth & Claw

Hudson Courtney is originally from Allen, Texas which is a small suburb outside of Dallas. Hudson has always loved clothing growing up and felt expressing oneself through apparel was exciting. Sneakers were the gateway to his obsession with fashion. His interests and knowledge around clothing have only grown since, and he is extremely excited to enter the workforce in the fashion industry and start making a difference. Hudson has made some amazing memories, connections, and friendships here and cannot wait for the future it has prepared him for!

Lauren Cunningham ChaOtic Order

Lauren Frances Cunningham is a Colorado born and raised woman who has a hunger for knowledge and artistic applications. Following her passions, she began college as an art major and had curriculum in fibers III, and figure drawing, which sparked her interest in dress as an art form. With a fusion of textile art and figure drawing, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Merchandising with a concentration in Apparel Design and Production.

Emily Parker

The FlOrence COllectiOn

For Emily, being able to express herself through clothes has played a huge part in molding her confidence. Emily’s goal is to design clothes. It is often hard for women to find clothes that they feel are age-appropriate, while still having fun and feeling confident. In her collection, the colors and patterns allow women to feel confident, feminine, and respected.

2023 Designers Grace SOng

KurO.SOng

Grace Song is from Shanghai, China. She aims to design unique and cute garments. She hopes that her garments provide a good wearing experience and integrate natural beauty and gorgeousness into daily life. She completed her internship with Adolfo Sanchez in Los Angeles in the Spring of 2023.

Caroline FlOyd

Muir ClOthing

After studying fashion design in her local high school in Charleston, South Carolina, Caroline Floyd moved to Fort Collins to continue her studies and pursue a degree in Apparel and Merchandising with a concentration in Apparel Design and Production. Her capstone— an ultra-feminine, seasonless womenswear collection— is inspired by historical French garments and lingerie. The majority of the research for her collection was done by scrolling through museum fashion archives and visiting antique shops across the country. This spring, she completed a fashion design internship with Maison De Papillon in New York City, where she will continue to live to pursue future opportunities in the fashion industry.

2023 Designers DiegO ArellanO

No Vanitie

Diego was born in Dallas, Texas but was raised in Fort Collins. This past summer, he completed his Internship in San Antonio with Richter Goods, which specializes in high-end men’s button downs, made in the USA. His inspiration for this collection came from all the way back in 2017 when viewing a behind the scenes video on Off White’s F/W Men’s collection titled “Business Casual”. Ever since seeing how Off White was able to perfectly mesh streetwear into high end garments, Diego fell in love with fashion and has used this collection to create his own business casual line that embraces simplicity with modern silhouettes and a touch of soft masculinity.

YvOnne Li

Nectar

Yvonne Li is studying Apparel Design and Production. Her designs are driven by making fashion that attracts consumers and creates a powerful message. Her long-term career goal is to be a fashion designer who creates sustainable fashion and breaks social norms. This inspired her senior collection, to make an empowering message to help the endangered bee species. To push further into her goal, she has completed herinternship at Steve Sells Studio in Denver this spring semester.

September Iwerks

GeOrgie

As a designer, September wants to create pieces that make people feel beautiful. During her time working as an alteration specialist at David’s Bridal she worked with many women. There is one bride in particular September thinks of often. After September had altered the dress, the bride tried it on, and never before had she seen someone look so beautiful and full of life. The bride stayed in her dress for 45 minutes twirling in the mirrors. This bride changed the way September sees and approaches fashion. She strives to create garments that make people feel the way the woman did in her wedding dress.

Krystin ROnish

KR Ranch

Krystin was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado. Despite her suburban upbringing, she’s always had a passion for the Western aesthetic. Krystin interned with Rock and Roll

Denim/Panhandle Western Wear last summer in Fort Worth, Texas and plans on applying for a position with them full time. Her passion for vintage western wear, and interest in country music were the main inspirations for her line.

2023 Designers

AlOndra Ortiz

Licenciada

Alondra’s collection, Licenciada, is an ode to her heritage, her culture, and most importantly, her family. The collection features traditional Mexican textiles assembled through a workwear lens and depicts the duality of being Mexican-American. The embroidered elements and natural fabrics are inspired by her memories of lazy afternoons as a child spent embroidering with her grandmother. Overall, the collection manifests as a thank you to her family and a culmination of her creative endeavors the past four years at CSU.

Sarah Smith

Educated Guesses?

Sarah Smith is a senior student pursuing her degree in Apparel and Merchandising, with a concentration in Apparel Design and Production. She was born and raised in Crested Butte, Colorado, where she gained a strong sense of community and fell in love with nature. This is why she aspires to work in sustainable fashion. By celebrating the things that bring us together and designing with an environmentally conscious mindset, Sarah hopes she can generate a community of creatives, to support the world around her.

AM 340 Patternmaking II

The first part of tonight’s fashion show features original designs created by students enrolled inAM 340, Patternmaking II - Draping. These garments were ‘repurposed’from ski apparel, tents, and parachutes donated by Spyder,Aspen Pointe, andCrua Outdoors. The assignment required that the majority of each garment be made from these materials. Instructor David Russon guided students in the creation of these garments through instruction in the draping of 3-D muslin fabrics directly onto body forms. Students applied a variety of draping techniques to create their own ‘eco-edgy’looks.

Student Designers

Abby Babb

Dylan Barber

Bridget Brown

Carly Copeland

Alexandra Evans

Katie Gordon

Spencer Gordon

Megan Greenly

Callie Hartel (TA)

Jonathan Hong

Sherree Larrabee

Abbie LaNigro

Kennedy Magalhaes

Jack Mahoney

Hannah Malers

Ella McBride

Angelina Montoya

Tia Nuanez

Mitchell Oliveri

Nathalia Olvera-Barajas

Kellie Price

Sophie Scott

Allie Segal

Sebi Suarez

Marissa Thorp

Karina Usada

Meet the Judges

Laura COates

Laura is the owner of Seventy West mobile and online boutique in Denver, Colorado. The mobility of the fashion truck allows her to participate in “pop-up” locations, markets , private parties and style consultations. She has served as a judge for the International Textiles and Apparel Association on the Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional levels and this is her second year judging the CSU fashion show.

GiOvOnni Carter

Giovonni Carter is an Assistant Handbag Designer at Coach in NYC, working with the Men’s Retail and Woman’s Runway teams. At Coach, Giovonni focuses on genderless styles targeted toward the Gen-Z consumer. He grew up in Five Points, Denver, in a single parent home. He bought his first sewing machine and taught himself how to sew/pattern make when he was 16 in his mother’s basement. He began designing and customizing clothes for himself and kids in the area. When he recieved a generous scholarship to attend CSU, he immediately fell in love with the apparel design program. Giovonni received CHHS Graduate of the Year recognition in 2019 and interned at Tommy Hilfiger prior to moving to Coach in summer 2020. Giovonni hopes to expand his understanding of design, engineering and product development into a range of design disciplines and one day become a Creative Design Director and CEO.

Lady SOule

Lady Soule is Creative Director at Urban Outfitters overseeing women’s and men’s apparel plus accessories. She has over 20 years’ of experience managing the creative vision, execution, and production of multiple product lines within trend fashion brands. At a young age, Lady had a connection to fashion because she loved vintage and thrifting, but her true intro into the industry was in her hometown mall at Gadzooks. While attending Colorado State University, Lady worked in merchandising in the skate and snowboard world until she moved to New York to intern for Tracy Reese. That internship turned into a 14-year relationship with Tracy, helping her build her brands Tracy Reese, Plenty, and Frock. From there, Lady moved on to work at Anthropologie for 5 years and finally onto Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia. Lady feels so lucky to be a part of a brand she truly loves and has had a personal relationship to for more than half of her life.

DM474 Fashion Show PrOductiOn & Event Planning Class

Instructors: Dr. Karen Hyllegard & Sara Dudek

Graduate Teaching Assistants:

Morgan Davis

Annabella Montgomery

Donghoon Shin

G arment & MOdeling:

Shaheen Ghamari

Meghan Guilfoyle

Piper Kittersong

Grace Martens

Larissa Medina

Riley Quast

Shay Smith

Publicity & PrOmOtiOns:

Mayzie Branson

Ava DeBruin

Corina Johnson

Kayla Le Ferve

Elise Teichman

Makayla Trapp

Natalie Valdes

SpOnsOrships & VIP ReceptiOn:

Casey Barnes

Linnea Berggren-Lysaught

Sadie Dinsdale

Marissa Hart

Ben Hartley

Lillian Landwehr

Catalina Pezzuti

Juilet Yarbro

Set &

Stage Design:

Grace Curtis

Walker Discoe

Olivia Laferre

Ruby Milner

Angelina Montoya

Kylie Stewart

Hannah Waldvogel

FashiOn ShOw DirectOrs

LOusia ROdriguez: Garment & MOdeling Chair

Louisa Rodriguez, is from Denver, Colorado. She is currently a junior majoring in Apparel and Merchandising with a concentration in Product Development. She is pursuing a minor in business administration as well. She was part of the study trip to New York during spring break and was able to visit with amazing companies. She can’t wait to see what the future holds for her in the fashion industry.

Valerie BOrtOlutti: PrOmOtions & Publicty Chair

Valere Bortolutti is a senior studying Apparel Design and Merchandising, with a concentration in Design and Production. This is her second year working on the fashion show and working on the Promotions and Publicity committee. It has been an honor to be part of the department’s tradition of showcasing the senior designers’ work and she looks forward to showcasing her own work next spring. She has a strong passion for education and slow fashion and she strives to make her mark on the world through educating others on the fashion and textile industry while producing high-quality, low environmental impact clothing.

Samuel ROsen: Set & Stage Chair

Samuel Rosen is a junior in the Apparel and Merchandising major. He is from Lakewood, Colorado, and has enjoyed growing up near the mountains his entire life. He has a love for clothing, especially finding vintage clothes. He is excited to finally be a part of a show that showcases students’ hard work and be able to see their art in action.

Julian Chavez: SpOnsOrships & VIP ReceptiOn Chair

Julian Chavez is from Lakewood, Colorado, and a junior currently in the merchandising concentration within the Design and Merchandising department. He is excited to see what the future holds for him in the fashion industry.

MOdels

Breonna Abuya

Alejandrea Aparicio

Jesus Asencio

Liam Bauer

Lisa Blevins

Elsa Burgesser

Silvana Cano

Molly Carroll

Sunny Collins

Jaiden Costance

Ryan Crowell

Nico Deltrich

Grace Fowler

Leah Fowler

Will French

Sophia Geralis

Megan Gifford

Caleigh Glassmaker

Megan Greenly

Evan Gross

Ellie Guthart

Jacob Hall

Casey Hocknell

Imogen Homer

Dhyonna Januray

Cassius Kaenny

Amy Kessler

Angela Kimball

Ethan Laborde

Genesis Lacy

Kennedy Lewallen

Sam Marek

Olivia Martin

Bryana Martinez

Sophia McElroy

Nikoo Monem

Joanna Mosley

Abby Munoz

Quinn Ocheltree

Elle Olguin

Cynthia Padgett

Sophia Parks-Briceno

Meredith Paulson

Coen Petto

Chloe Powell

Madison Rattler

Henry Reed

Scott Reif

Madison Rheinheimer

Anaiya Rice

PJ Robinson

Sabrina Perez Rocha

Ashlyn Rodriguez

Christian Rosales

Andrea Schooler

Sophia Shelko

Mariel Sims

Deneen Smith

Tamar Smith

Cameron Thomas

Quatia Thomson

Justin Thoureen

Jacky Trejo

Melena Vanderperren

Paige Vogt

Ramsey Whitaker

Harper Wines

BrOnze SpOnsors

Repeat Boutique

ArtoCade Inc.

Tula Boutique

LifeWTR

Silver SpOnSOrs

Christy Sports

Pilar Boutique

Silver SpOnsOrs

SuhSushi Korean BBQ

Special Thank YOu TO...

Mitch Perez: CSU Student DJ

Annie Hennen: Stage Manager

Hannia Favela: Box Office Manager

Jaedyn Garcia: Emcee

Art Cartopia Museum: Sign Donation

Hudson Courtney and Lauren Cunningham: Promotional Art Valerie Bortolutti:

Promotional Art

Avery Martin, Ashur Lockrem, John Eisele: Photography

Spyder, Aspen Pointe, Crua Outdoors: Tent Donations

Dr. Kristen Morris: Stage Structures

John and Berndadine Pezzuti: Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Brad March, Don and May Wilkins Charitable Trust: VIP Reception Cocktails

Interior Architecture and Design Senior Show May 12

Open House: 2-3:30 p.m.

Formal Remarks: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Nancy Richardson Design Center 522 W. Lake St.

Come see the IAD seniors’ capstone projects! Register