By: Katy Coakley
Contributing Writer
At the Edge: Runway Experience, the 2023 fashion show, allowed guests to explore the stunning and brilliant work designed by Dominican’s fashion department.
At the Edge: Runway Experience, ran from April 15 to 16.
Four seniors displayed their different clothing collections as well as guest designer, Paulina Sicajan Perez, who became the department’s first immigrant designer.
The show was planned through the fashion class “Event Planning and Fashion Show Production” by students. It featured 38 models and 22 dressers.
Freshman, Melanie Canales, said it was a fun and energetic experience walking the runway for her first fashion show.
“A lot of practice went into the show,” said Canales. “I can’t thank the crew enough because they put a lot of time and dedication into it. People were helping as much as they could.”
George McCray, a senior majoring in fashion merchandising, said the production for the show began in spring 2022.
“I think the show went amazing and the atmosphere was great,” said McCray. “Last spring, we started coming up with ideas and we were working nonstop to create what we now see today.”
McCray also explained how At the Edge was one of the best shows put on by the department.
“I feel it’s an expression for visuals to see their minds,” said McCray. “You can have these interesting spaces where you create all these different images in your mind. You’re able to showcase the actual show itself.”
McCray’s collection Soul’s Genesis was inspired by his own post-modernization universe, which included influences on his only child upbringing.
Junior Madison Creamer said it was a good choice to have this year’s show in the Lund Auditorium.
“The show used to be Parmer Hall and then it was out in the Quad,” said Creamer. “It was nice to have an actual runway.”
Creamer, who participated in her third show, talked about why she loved wearing a dress designed by Rhiannon Cassata.
“I’m really good friends with Cassata,” said Creamer. “It’s a fun thing to do for her. I think fashion gets a bad reputation, but it is so important for everyone to know.”
Cassata’s collection Full of Grace featured pieces that represented the different aspects of Mother Mary as well as the femininity within women.
Stage manager Michael Hunter said he loved seeing the senior designers’ work come alive on the runway.
“This semester, I saw all four of them work very hard,” said Hunter. “That’s inspiring to me. Seeing people in my same nature doing the things that I want to do is beautiful.”
Other collections that were displayed included Minority Style by Irving Castañeda, a menswear collection honoring various minority groups, and Draped in Fear by Lana Heyasat, which explores different phobias though fashion.
Kcoakley@my.dom.edu
