Thursday, May 7, 2026

UNT Fashion Design Seniors Debut 31 Original Collections in Annual Runway Show

Two Fashion Design faculty posing with eight Fashion Design Student Organization members

FDSO Members and Faculty: Cynthia Gentzel, left, lecturer and faculty advisor; Marissa Koegle, junior representative; Kayla Jordan, assistant stage manager; Madison McBride, president; Abigail Wilmarth, communications specialist; and Barbara Trippeer, associate professor and faculty advisor; Isabella Murphy, vice president & secretary; Michael Monk, stage manager & fashion show coordinator; Raegan Starling, fundraising specialist; and Varsha Suresh, junior secretary and outreach coordinator.

The University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design’s Fashion Design B.F.A. seniors unveiled 31 original collections during the 2026 Senior Fashion Show on April 18 at Golden Triangle Mall. Produced entirely by the UNT Fashion Design Student Organization, the annual runway event highlighted the creativity, technical skill and professional preparation of students in the Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program.

The fully student-led production featured collections ranging from ready-to-wear to bridal and eveningwear, with each designer presenting work shaped by individual research, concept development and craftsmanship. Prior to the runway presentation, students received critiques from external industry professionals who evaluated the collections for innovation, marketability and execution.

The capstone experience reflects CVAD’s emphasis on experiential learning and career preparation, giving students opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting while presenting their work to public and industry audiences.

“This show is more than a showcase — it’s a launchpad,” said Hepi Wachter, chair of the Department of Design, highlighting the program’s commitment to preparing students for the fashion industry.

The event was led by Fashion Design Student Organization President Madison McBride, alongside student producers and volunteers, with support and mentorship from faculty in the Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program.

Community and industry partnerships also played an important role in the success of the show. Organizers recognized support from Golden Triangle Mall, Weitzman Management Group, Levitt Pavilion and Park 7 Group, among others, whose involvement helped expand opportunities for students to engage with professional and community audiences beyond campus.

Families and supporters also contributed to the event through encouragement and financial support that helped bring the production to life.

The annual B.F.A. Senior Fashion Show continues to serve as a public celebration of student achievement while strengthening connections between UNT, the North Texas creative community and the fashion industry.

2026 Award Recipients

Ellie Bushong — Best Overall Collection Award: Recognized for excellence across concept development, design innovation, technical execution, merchandising cohesion, and professional presentation, with a unified and impeccably executed collection praised for clarity of vision and refinement.
Azure Thomas — Outstanding Presentation Award: Honored for clear, confident, professional communication of concept and process—supported by strong visual storytelling, thoughtful documentation, and compelling engagement during critiques and reviews.
Ben Arevalo — Creativity and Innovation Award: Recognized for original thinking and inventive problem‑solving, including unexpected design solutions, innovative use of form and materials, and a strong creative voice that pushed the concept beyond the expected.
Sabrina Tsui — Expressive Design Award: Honored for a visually striking and deeply expressive collection, with bold, intentional design language and creative risk‑taking through silhouette, texture, and form that resulted in powerful, memorable garments.
Marcela Gonzalez — Contemporary Design Award: Recognized for a distinctly current, market‑aware collection balancing concept and wearability, with strong silhouettes, refined construction, and a clear point of view that reflects contemporary relevance and forward direction.
Madeleine DeMotte — Excellence in Specialized Craftsmanship Award: Honored for exceptional technical mastery and precision, including meticulous execution of specialized techniques, consistent construction, and extraordinary attention to detail reflecting deep respect for garment craft.
Nash Harris — Pattern and Material Application Award: Recognized for sophisticated translation of concept into form through precise patternmaking and intentional material selections that strengthened silhouette, movement, function, visual impact, and wearability.
Cricket Myers — Merchandising Cohesion Award: Honored for exceptional unity across concept, silhouettes, palette, materials, and styling—demonstrating clear design direction, strong merchandising decisions, look‑to‑look continuity, and cohesive collection flow.
Madison McBride — Outstanding Service Award: Recognized for service, leadership, and program impact through student‑led production of the BFA Senior Fashion Show at the Golden Triangle Mall, including coordinating teams, managing logistics, and partnering with community and industry stakeholders while supporting peers.
Marisol Lopez — Surface Storytelling Award: Honored for exceptional narrative and meaning through surface design, with exquisite hand‑crafted lace and embroidery, extraordinary attention to detail, and a clear historical and cultural narrative reinforced through strong process documentation and presentation.