UNT CVAD Welcomes Designer Michael W. Faircloth as the 2025-26 Industry Critic

August 2025 — The University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design is advancing its fashion design program with a model inspired by leading international schools, including Parsons School of Design, the Fashion Institute of Technology and Kent State University.

This year’s designated industry critic is Michael W. Faircloth, the internationally recognized designer for whom UNT’s Fashion Design program is named. Faircloth will guide students in refining their senior collections at the earliest stages of development.

Since 2024, the program has incorporated designated industry critics to mentor students and evaluate their concepts before garment production begins. These professionals, who often serve as product managers, design directors or other senior-level industry leaders, review student proposals and provide feedback to help shape collections for market readiness.

“By engaging with critics early in the process, students gain an authentic experience of how design ideas move through professional channels before ever reaching production,” said Barbara Trippeer, associate professor of Fashion Design.

Critics as Mentors and Gatekeepers

In other top programs, critics often act as long-term advisors to students. At CVAD, they complement the spring industry panel that reviews finished collections. The critics’ role is to evaluate early proposals, provide professional feedback and help students refine their direction.

In 2024, the following five critics guided students as they launched their senior collections.

• Enzo Mazurrco, president of Tuscan Texas Group
• Jonathan Mabra, director of apparel production at Tish Cox and a 2020 CVAD alumnus
• Danielle Rusthoven, senior designer at Masood Textiles Mills
• Star Grieve, senior graphic designer and textile developer at Masood Textiles Mills

Building a Collection From Concept to Runway

Before meeting with critics, students prepare detailed presentation materials, including the following.

• Target client profile boards
• Mood boards with images, colors and seasonal direction
• Fabric and materials menus
• Digital illustrations of five coordinated ensembles
• Flat sketch line sheets showing garment construction

Students also present sketchbooks, prototypes and three complete collection proposals. From these, the critic selects the concept that will carry through the academic year.

“The critique presentation is like a blend of Shark Tank and Project Runway,” Trippeer said. “Students must defend their ideas and demonstrate market awareness while showing creativity.”

Preparing for the Professional Stage

Senior collections serve as the capstone for fashion design majors. Each student must produce five garments that demonstrate mastery in draping, tailoring, activewear, machine knitting, digital pattern making, virtual fittings, and technical design packages. The designs must align with the target clientele the student identifies, whether ready-to-wear or luxury tailoring.

Three garments are produced in the fall semester and two in the spring. The full collections will debut at CVAD’s annual senior fashion show in spring 2026.

Looking Ahead

The next Industry Critic Panel event is scheduled for March 21, 2026, where students will present their finalized concepts to a panel of professionals, as if pitching their line to the market.

“This model brings the fashion industry directly into our classrooms,” Trippeer said. “It’s an invaluable bridge between education and career.”

Update

Michael W. Faircloth engages with students on Aug. 28, 2025.