Wearing garments ranging from geometric to ethereal, 180 student models will walk the runway in Barton Hall on March 21 for the Cornell Fashion Collective’s spring show. In the final hours leading up to this signature event, CFC’s members are putting the finishing touches on everything from seams to seating charts.

The 42nd annual show will feature the work of fashion design majors from the College of Human Ecology and students from across the university looking to broaden their Cornell experience. Their designs range from explorations in pleating to commentary on the environment and beachware for tropical climes.

CFC’s members have myriad majors and perspectives, said designer Luis Chavarin ’28, a fashion design major.

“I think it helps keep things interesting and diverse,” he said. “Fashion is an art form; there is not just one specific way it can be practiced.”

Credit: Margaret Tsai/Provided

Tickets to the event are $12 for general admission, $25 for friends and family and $50 for the VIP section, which includes a prime runway seat and an exclusive gift.

The designers are organized into four categories – levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 – that correspond to the number of years they’ve designed for CFC.

Level 1 designers create a single look inspired by the theme “grayscale.” These designs will be the first on the runway, and guests will see monochromatic garments.

“When I think of grayscale, I think of texture,” said Nylah Urquhart ’29, a fashion design major. Her gray dress will feature heavy pleating.

Urquhart joined CFC last fall and was paired as an assistant with Devon Meenaghan ’27, a level 3 designer who is also a fashion design major. Urquhart assisted Meenaghan with patterning for her fall show looks. The mentorship allowed Urquhart to build her design skills, complementing her formal education with a peer-based network.

Level 2 designers create two looks inspired by the prompt “deux ex machina,” a play on “deus ex machina,” Latin for “god from the machine.” Dani Mendell ’28, CFC creative director and an art history major, challenged designers to ask, ‘Who is in control – creation or creator?’ Level 2 designers will explore such themes as man versus machine, and nature versus technology, through texture, silhouette and concept.

Chavarin, a level 2 designer and director of levels 1 and 2, said his designs serve as a platform for environmental education.

“My CFC designs provide a commentary on our abuse of natural resources and the negative impacts humans and technology have on the environment, particularly artificial intelligence,” said Chavarin, whose collection involves sharp, pointy silhouettes and dark colors.

Credit: Margaret Tsai/Provided

Levels 3 and 4 designers, typically juniors and seniors, have full creative freedom, choosing their own theme and designing larger collections ranging from four to six and six to 10 pieces, respectively.

Ana Mocklar ’26 created a collection titled “Don’t let the pigeon design a CFC collection,” inspired by the ubiquity and diverse patterning of pigeons. Each playful garment highlights an interaction between a pigeon and a part of New York City, incorporating stripes, gingham and polka dots. The information science major has also directed her models to walk the runway in a theatrical, character-driven style.

Alexis McMurray ’26 will present her senior collection, “Made for Moments.” The beachwear line was designed for older women living in South Florida and similar climates.

McMurray thrifted most of her fabrics while shopping with her grandmother. She blended vintage textiles with novel construction techniques to create unified silhouettes. For one look, she upcycled a lacy beach coverup from a tablecloth. McMurray digitized the floral lace motif and worked with the Digital Design and Fabric Studio to laser cut the same pattern on a bathing suit. She also used a laser to cut chiffon curtains into strips and hand wove them to create a textured gauzy top and skirt. The results are cohesive looks bridging old and new.

Beyond design, a legion of teams and committees have been collaborating to create a cohesive experience for both guests and CFC members, led by Sophia Peck ’26, CFC president and a fashion design management major. CFC has 270 members, many of whom are not designers.

“It’s easy to get lost in the crowd in a club as big as ours, so we focus on having specialized teams,” Peck said. “Our executive board members and committee heads provide students with leadership opportunities and smaller groups so that we can better manage and connect.”

CFC represents many members of the Cornell community, Peck said.

“We have nonfashion majors, including engineers who are designing to express themselves creatively,” she said. “Those perspectives make the organization dynamic and ensure that we’re putting forward our best show.”

Marisa LaFalce is a communications assistant for the College of Human Ecology.