“So much has gone into this event, it’s actually kind of taken over the semester — the magazine is our first priority and we’ve never really done anything as big as this show," co-editor-in-chief of VIM Magazine Hannah Bullion said. "In January we scouted different locations, held casting calls for models, had designers submit their pieces, and so it’s been a lot of coordinating with a lot of people."

The show was originally only accepting designs from apparel and textile design students. However, it opened up to all student designers after receiving positive reception.  

“This year is really about embracing the student-run event and having our designers, our models, our directors, everything from A to Z be a part of it and be able to have fun with it and just enjoy it ," apparel and textile design junior and fashion show director Thomas Messenger said. "It’s coupled with our launch event, which is even more fun."

The show hosted more than a dozen collections from student designers like Ashton Keys and Ondrae` Lawson. The fashion show gave a taste of luxury designs that students wouldn’t normally see walking down Grand River Avenue. 

“You might see some stuff where you are like, 'Oh, wow what is that?' It’s more art than it is fashion sometimes,” Messenger said.  

Many designers draw inspiration for their pieces from outside artists, like apparel and textile design senior Para Low.

“My design is based on this art project called the 'Tree of Forty Fruit' by this one artist, he basically grafted the branches from 40 fruit trees onto one tree and because trees can accept tissue from any tree. It grew to accept the branches and now it flowers and actually bears 40 different fruits,” Low said. 

Some artists develop their vision for their designs from more personal life experiences. 

“My line is about the feelings of divorce and what people go through. Everything that I make I relate back to my life. I kind of tell the stories of my life through my garments, so that’s where my inspiration comes from,” apparel and textile design junior Mikayla Frick said. 

Apparel and textile design senior Kitty Johnson’s study abroad trip to South Africa inspired her bold designs to hold a deeper message. 

“I took a trip to South Africa and learned about a social injustice that goes on. It’s imposed by people called Red Ants, which are basically people that dress up in red suits and are funded by the city to go out and push people out of abandoned buildings, or even buildings they probably live in and pay for ... so they can redo the area. It’s basically gentrification," Johnson said. "I have this picture where there were piles and piles of stuff pushed out onto windowsills buildings, so my piece is representing the relationship between the people and the Red Ants."

The show ended with no falls, despite a few models sporting dangerously high heels. English senior and VIM magazine member Amber Stokes had high praises for the show. 

“It was so rewarding to see everything come together so nicely after all this time," Stokes said. "The designers were out of this world. I can’t wait to see what they come up with for next year’s show.”