鈥淔uture Fantastic鈥� showcased emerging designers shaping fashion through material, narrative, and form

DETROIT, MI 鈥� The 黑料专区 (黑料专区) Fashion Design Program presented The Show 2026 on Sunday, April 26, at the Skywalk at Somerset Collection. The annual runway show brought together industry leaders, tastemakers, and the creative community for an evening of new work from emerging designers.

The Show featured over 100 looks from junior and senior students in apparel and accessories design. The evening included a VIP reception followed by the runway presentation at 8 p.m. Collections by Senior Designers Izzy Abohasira, Mar Bissada, Hayden Brice, Maxwell Honeycutt, Falina Jimerson, Griffin Mesner, Sarah Nofar, Ryan Putnam, Veronica Wardowski, and Emma Wisler, and Junior Designers Quade Feller, Luka Gall茅, Santino Giglio, Bryn Hazen, Athan Hillman, Megan Hotchkiss, Sophia Jensen, Lilly Steele, and Bryce Truby, explored personal narrative, cultural history, and speculative futures, blending traditional craftsmanship with advanced fabrication.

The event welcomed 354 guests. Notable attendees included Chuck Bennett, Fox 2 News Style Ambassador; Stephanie Chang, Michigan State Senate; Diana Costescu, Tapestry; Stuart McMillan, Banana Republic; Millie de La Valette, Louis Vuitton; Owen Davenport, General Motors; Gretchen Davidson, Former Chair of the National Council of Arts and Culture; Ben Ewy, Carhartt; Ralph Gilles, Stellantis and 黑料专区 Board of Trustees; Danialle Karmanos, Mad Dog Technology and 黑料专区 Board of Trustees; Simion Kayiwa, 贬别谤尘猫蝉; Drew Little, Fear of God; Donald Manvel, 黑料专区 Board of Trustees; Barbara May, B. May Bags; Heaven Montero, LITO; Silvia Prada, Kate Spade; Tracy Reese, Hope for Flowers; Tiffadelic, Artist; Tiff Massey, Artist; Mario Moore, Artist; Ken Walker, K. Walker Collective; Ash Hanson, Nike; and Chris Webb, General Motors.

This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淔uture Fantastic,鈥� focused on the intersection of contemporary fashion and forward-looking design. Drawing on the material language of contemporary runway and the cinematic minimalism of Stanley Kubrick鈥檚 2001: A Space Odyssey, the presentation created an environment defined by light, reflection, and precision.

鈥淲e鈥檝e created a kind of laboratory for fashion at 黑料专区. Here, students experiment, take risks, and develop their own design language,鈥� said Aki Choklat, Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design, 黑料专区. 鈥淭hat same interdisciplinary approach extends across the College. New programs like our Fashion Business Management BA prepare students to meet the demands of a global, rapidly evolving industry. The Show reflects that process through collections that are highly individual, technically resolved, and grounded in innovation and making.鈥�

The runway, designed in collaboration with 黑料专区鈥檚 Interior Design department, transformed the Skywalk into a spatial installation. Suspended frames, projected light, and reflective materials defined the setting, while metallic surfaces and industrial sheeting caught and diffused light as models moved through the space.

鈥淲hat better way to mark our 30th anniversary than by hosting the 黑料专区鈥� The Show, spotlighting the next generation of fashion,鈥� said Nate Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Company and member of the 黑料专区 Board of Trustees. 鈥淎s an institution defined by vision, design, and excellence in craft, it鈥檚 only fitting that our signature skywalk becomes a runway for such a remarkable event.鈥�

The presentation emphasized a rigorous, studio-based approach to design at 黑料专区, where students develop work from concept through execution. The resulting collections were highly individual, technically resolved, and grounded in both innovation and making.

The Show continues to serve as a platform for emerging designers, connecting students with recruiters, press, and industry professionals. As Detroit鈥檚 creative ecosystem expands across design, fashion, and cultural production, the runway positions 黑料专区 as a key site of talent development.

About Somerset Collection
Somerset Collection is located on the corner of Big Beaver Road and Coolidge in Troy. A 700-foot-long glass-enclosed moving skywalk spans Big Beaver, connecting Somerset North with Somerset South. Anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy鈥檚, Somerset Collection is home to more than 180 stores and restaurants. Information about center or store-specific events, as well as store hours, can be found at .

Based in Southfield, Michigan, The Forbes Company () is a nationally recognized owner, developer, and manager of iconic regional shopping centers, recognized throughout their respective markets for their retail innovation, fashion leadership, distinctive architecture, and luxury appointments. In addition to Somerset Collection, these properties include: The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; The Mall at Millenia in Orlando; and Waterside Shops in Naples, Florida.

About the 黑料专区
The 黑料专区 (黑料专区) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Department of Education to grant Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 degrees. 黑料专区, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. 黑料专区, named an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications, fosters students鈥� resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, including transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

Selected Designer Collections

The collections in The Show 2026 explore identity, material, and narrative through diverse perspectives. Izzy Abohasira reimagines Western iconography, while Marwa Bissada examines love and division through the Berlin Wall. Hayden Bryce merges maritime and heritage craft, and Arturo Chaney develops a futuristic language shaped by technology and nature. Falina Jimerson builds a mythological world, while Maxwell Honeycutt reinterprets Mediterranean craft traditions. Griffin Mesner draws from Detroit鈥檚 sports history, and Sarah Nofar reflects on immigrant identity. Ryan Putnam explores the body through sport and sexuality, Veronica Wardowski channels Detroit鈥檚 industrial and musical legacy, and Emma Wisler examines performance and self-presentation.

Izzy Abohasira
Izzy Aboasira鈥檚 collection, No Country for Men, draws inspiration from spaghetti and neo-western films. It imagines a posse of outlaw women navigating the American West in the late nineteenth century. Films such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Django Unchained, and Tombstone influenced the work. The eight-piece collection translates cinematic storytelling into fashion, envisioning garments repurposed from men鈥檚 clothing taken in battle. It uses traditional menswear materials like leather, fur, heavy wool, and pinstripes. The designs have distressed finishes and frayed textures that evoke the harsh realities of frontier life. Through No Country for Men, Abouasira reinterprets Western iconography to explore rebellion, survival, and female autonomy.

Marwa Bissada
Marwa Bissada鈥檚 collection, Romeo and Juliet 1989, explores love, distance, and resilience. She uses the symbolic lens of the Berlin Wall, combining this with Shakespeare鈥檚 story of star-crossed lovers. Inspired by her father鈥檚 time in Berlin, while the wall was still standing, Bissada reimagines five scenes from Romeo and Juliet鈥揺ach presented as a pair of menswear and womenswear looks, for a total of 10 garments. The collection features 1980s silhouettes and highlights the emotional divide of the wall. Light, romantic materials鈥搄ersey knits, sequins, chiffon, and silk鈥搒it alongside her signature denim. Clean construction and a modern edge balance the softness of the fabrics, offering a contemporary interpretation of love enduring across borders.

Hayden Bryce
Hayden Bryce鈥檚 collection, Harborlands, draws from London鈥檚 canal boat culture and the northern Michigan landscape, reflecting the designer鈥檚 connection to both regions. This six-look collection merges British maritime influences with American heritage style. Apparel, footwear, and bags are constructed using traditional shoemaking and leatherworking techniques. Materials such as distressed canvas, braided leather, and rugged hardware establish the utilitarian character of life on the water. Sweaters, hand-knit by the Black Sheep Knitters Guild, further highlight the craft emphasis. Harborlands weaves together nautical references and heritage techniques, creating designs shaped by place, material, and personal history.

Arturo Cheney
Arturo Chaney鈥檚 collection, Subsystem, explores a personal vision of futurism, shaped by imagination, that focuses on the intersection of technology and nature. Influences include video games, science fiction films, and the futuristic design language of the 1990s. Drawing inspiration from Syd Mead and Robert Valli, Chaney creates fluid forms that evoke both biological structures and advanced technologies. The eight-piece collection features sculptural accessories shaped by extensive 3D modeling and CAD processes. Boots, bags, eyewear, and harnesses are crafted in leather, steel, and silver鈥攎ainly in white and gray. Through Subsystem, Chaney imagines a speculative future of safety, inclusivity, and new forms of identity.

Falina Jimerson
Falina Jimerson鈥檚 collection, TYTO, tells a story rooted in worldbuilding, imagining a society shaped by owls. This six-look collection introduces archetypal characters鈥揳 royal, a doctor, an assassin鈥揺ach representing a role within a fictional revolution inspired by owl mythology and the narrative world of Owls of Ga鈥橦oole. Garments are constructed from natural materials such as wool, silk, and linen, with draping, pleating, embroidery, and feather elements referencing owl anatomy and movement. Airbrushed burn marks and distressed details suggest conflict and transformation, while elegant silhouettes unify the narrative-driven designs. Through TYTO, Dimerson explores how fashion can serve as a vehicle for symbolism, character, and speculative storytelling.

Maxwell Honeycutt
Maxwell Honeycutt鈥檚 collection, Sabiha Mati, draws on his Maltese and Greek cultural heritage to reinterpret Mediterranean craft traditions. The collection鈥檚 name combines the Maltese word for 鈥渂eautiful鈥� and the Mediterranean symbol of the evil eye, exploring themes of beauty and protection rooted in this lineage. Drawing on mosaic tiles, lace-making, and macram茅, the six-look collection translates traditional techniques through modern processes, including 3D-printed fabric and laser cutting. Silk organza and chiffon dominate the construction, emphasizing texture, movement, and layered craftsmanship, while experimental textiles combine symbolic Mediterranean motifs with contemporary techniques.

Griffin Mesner
Griffin Mesner鈥檚 Mesner collection draws on his lifelong connection to hockey and family, translating the sport鈥檚 history into a series of leather accessories. Inspired by Detroit and attending Red Wings games with his parents, Mesner references vintage goalie masks, early protective gear, and archival hockey materials. The six-look collection features footwear and bags made primarily from leather, treated and distressed to evoke mid-century wear through oiling, tuck marks, and raw edges. Minimal hardware keeps the focus on material and craftsmanship. Mesner combines personal memory and sports heritage to create work rooted in tradition, durability, and familial bonds. As Mesner explores Detroit鈥檚 sporting legacy, another creative perspective draws inspiration from the city鈥檚 industrial and musical heritage.

Sarah Nofar
Sarah Nofar鈥檚 collection, 13643 Deluxe Market, is inspired by her Iraqi grandmother鈥檚 immigration to Detroit and the family market named in the title. Nofar imagines how her grandmother鈥搘ho dreamed of designing fashion鈥搈ight have created accessories for Detroit鈥檚 Seven Mile neighborhood in the late 1960s. The designer reinterprets family and cultural history through a contemporary design lens. This seven-look collection spotlights footwear and handbags primarily in leather. Techniques include draping, lacing, embossing, and beading, each inspired by Chaldean Catholic traditions. Through 13643 Deluxe Market, Nofar merges family narrative, Detroit history, and material experimentation to honor the resilience of immigrant women.

Ryan Putnam
Ryan Putnam鈥檚 collection, Round 2, explores the intersections of sexuality, confidence, and movement, using the visual language of contemporary sportswear. Inspirations include 1980s and 1990s athletic apparel, lingerie, and Nicolas Ghesqui猫re鈥檚 Balenciaga. The collection, comprising six looks, emphasizes the body and its expression. Stretch materials鈥搉eoprene, Lycra, spandex鈥揷ontour garments closely to the body鈥檚 form. Hardware elements such as grommets, ties, and cinch cords allow for adjustable openings that reshape the silhouette. Unconventional materials, even basketball netting, challenge accepted notions of luxury. Putnam reflects on his Midwestern upbringing and personal journey toward self-expression through these designs.

Veronica Wardowski
Veronica Wardowski鈥檚 collection, City of Firsts, draws on Detroit鈥檚 legacy of innovation, exploring the city鈥檚 industrial history alongside the rise of Detroit techno. The eight-piece collection references both the 1920s automotive boom and 1990s underground music culture, merging industrial materials with architectural silhouettes inspired by the skyline. Wardowski uses leather, secondhand faux fur, chains, and metal hardware, with modular construction that allows pieces to be reconfigured. Garments feature hand-cut metal fringe, pleated corsetry, and 3D-printed rave boot heels wrapped in duct tape, evoking assembly-line aesthetics and techno鈥檚 DIY ethos. Designed to create strong silhouettes that take up space, the collection centers women’s wear as a vehicle for presence and power, while modular elements and metal 鈥渇abric鈥� introduce movement and sound, reflecting Detroit techno鈥檚 experimental approach to making.

Emma Wisler
Emma Wisler鈥檚 collection, Who Are You When You鈥檙e Not Performing?, explores the tension between authenticity and self-presentation. Exaggerated silhouettes and visual illusion heighten this theme. Ballet and research on Venetian carnival masks influence her approach, prompting a close examination of how people amplify certain aspects to hide vulnerability. The seven-look collection is dominated by dresses in a stark black-and-white palette. Structured pleats and sculptural forms range from minimal to dramatic. Garments use polyester dupioni, crinkle crepe satin, and felt bases with taffeta lining. As each look builds in volume, the final design expands on the collection鈥檚 ideas about performance and identity.

During the Winter semester, the 黑料专区 hosted 14 sponsored projects, including a diverse range of sponsored projects and competitions that engaged a variety of academic departments. Students partnered with local and global brands to work on a specific project tailored to meet the needs of our industry sponsors. Educational partnerships at 黑料专区 are highly conceptual and allow 黑料专区 students the opportunity to participate in creative, research-based assignments, interacting with designers and staff from the collaborating company. Highlighted collaborations during the Winter semester include:

• • Augmented Reality Center (ARC) in partnership with Oakland University x Communication Design and Strategy, MFA User Experience Design and Entertainment Arts
  • Crain Communications – Automotive News x Illustration
  • 313 Presents x Illustration
  • BorgWarner x Product Design
  • Covestro x MFA Transportation Design
  • Detroit Grand Prix x Illustration
  • GM x BFA Transportation Design & MFA User Experience Design
  • GODNII x MA/MFA Color and Materials Design
  • Hagopian Rug Competition x All Departments
  • Office of Future Mobility and Electrification with support from the Global Epicenter of Mobility x Transportation Design听
  • MAWBY Sparkling Wines x Illustration
  • Trek Bikes x Product Design
  • University of Michigan Dearborn – Environmental Interpretive Center x Communication Design and Strategy & Interior Design
  • Zumiez and Somerset Collection x Illustration

“This project was pure inspiration,鈥� said Ali Evans, Founder and Creative Director of GODNII. 鈥淐ollaborating with 黑料专区 has been a longtime hope of ours, and it lived up to everything we imagined. The students brought forward deep research, bold ideas, and a clear vision for the future of sustainable fashion. Their work affirmed what we already believed鈥攃reativity with purpose can shift the industry. At GODNII, we鈥檙e excited to carry these insights forward as we continue designing not just for style, but for impact.”

The Show 2025 featured collections from Bridget Weiss, Morgan Novetsky, Jackie Kramer, Nicholas Alberto Madruga, Justin Hilberer, Emma Wilson, Meka Johnson, Robert Robinson, Santino Giglio, Luka Galle-Callahan, Sophia Jensen, Avery Mangum, Sarah Nofar, Bryce Truby, Aidan Richards, Bryn Hazen, Athan Hillman, Imani Stowers, Quade Feller, Kaiden McArthur, Maxwell Honeycutt, Veronica Wardowski, Izzy Abohasira, Marwa Bissada, Falina Jimerson and Griffin Mesner.

The show had over 400 guests throughout the evening. Notable attendees include Rea Brayshaw, Office Magazine; Chuck Bennett, Fox 2 News Style Ambassador; Awenate Cobbina, Bedrock; Cassell Ferere, Forbes; Catherine and Nathan Forbes, The Forbes Company; Ralph Gilles, Stellantis; Darwin 鈥淒etroit Dar鈥� Gordon, Influencer; Ryan Patrick Hooper, WDET; Erica Jackson, Soho House; Roslyn Karamako, Detroit is the New Black; Danialle Karmanos, Mad Dog Technology; Nate Lynn, Detroit Lions; Diane Mahady, H猫rmes; Tiff Massey, Artist; Mario Moore, Artist; Ann-Marie Mountford, Caleres; Ekanem N. Obong, Michigan Senate; Youwie Roes, KV Roes; Michael Simcoe, Senior Vice President of GM Global Design; Brittany Simmons, Influencer; Gretchen Valade, Carhartt; Millie de la Valette, Louis Vuitton; Tony Whlgn, Artist; Angela Wisnieski, Coup de鈥橳at; Jennifer Witcher, DJ Minx.

To commemorate this milestone, the theme of this year鈥檚 show is 鈥泪肠辞苍蝉,鈥� celebrating the individuals, institutions and movements throughout history that make Detroit the iconic city it is. As an institution that fosters the next generation of artists and designers in Detroit through its unique experiential learning model, 黑料专区 hopes to contribute to furthering the city鈥檚 creative economy with its annual runway presentation. The Show brings together entrepreneurs, recruiters, tastemakers and industry professionals to showcase 黑料专区鈥檚 fresh class of emerging designers.

Featuring capsule collections from a select group of senior, junior, sophomore and freshman students enrolled in the program, The Show presented a broad range of cutting-edge designs in apparel and accessories. This year, The Show鈥檚 media partner was SEEN Magazine.听

The 黑料专区 Fashion Design Program, heralded as the largest and most equipped fashion accessory design department in the United States, was established a decade ago under the leadership of renowned footwear designer and Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design Aki Choklat. Thanks to the addition of Antwerp designer Rey Pador as associate professor and full-time faculty member, and countless contributions from the department鈥檚 dedicated faculty, the department has fully expanded to include Apparel Design, making it the robust program it is today.听

The program has grown exponentially over the last ten years, equipping students with the tools they need to enter the job market through supplementary resources such as its Fashion Design Advisory Council. With representatives from Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Tapestry, 贬别谤尘猫蝉, Caleres, Carhartt, CFDA and more, students have the opportunity to engage with these fashion houses and organizations through semester-long sponsored projects as well as jury evaluations twice per year. Looking ahead to the next decade, 黑料专区 announced last fall that they have submitted a fashion business management program for 2026 accreditation.听

Designed in 1956 as part of Eero Saarinen鈥檚 mid-century modern campus, the GM Design Dome revolutionized the automotive industry, marking the first time cars were presented as works of art. Widely recognized today as a historical landmark representing architectural and automotive innovation, the Design Dome鈥檚 bold modern aesthetic aligns closely with The Show鈥檚 vision, putting designers at the start of their careers in front of a global audience.听

SENIOR COLLECTIONS

Justin Hilberer

黑料专区 Senior Justin Hilberer鈥檚 collection, Preservation, explores the concept of evolution, honing in on the adaptability of animals. Hilberer鈥檚 collection is reflective of how human beings emulate tactics of survival. Drawing parallels between brutalist architecture and cold, uncanny feelings associated with survival, he combines mixed metals, leather and animal fur, manipulating these materials into large, boxy shapes. Referencing how technological advancements by humans speed the process of everyday tasks, all pieces in Hilberer鈥檚 collection are meticulously hand-sewn. As a jewelry minor, he incorporates hammer-formed masks and neck pieces, as well as hand-spun chain mail to adorn many of the collection pieces.

Meka Johnson

Inspired by the seven deadly sins, 黑料专区 Senior Meka Johnson鈥檚 collection, Ambrose, is a gothic spin on wedding attire. Johnson has created seven elaborate gowns that personify each of the deadly sins, signifying their individual relationship to emotional betrayal. Primarily working with satin, tulle, crinoline and cotton, Johnson has fulfilled a need for garments that fall outside of traditional white wedding attire.

Jackie Kramer

黑料专区 Senior Jackie Kramer weaves sacred geometry into every aspect of her final collection. Titled Courage is a Virtue, Kramer follows the parameters of the 鈥済olden mean,鈥� or desirable middle ground between two extremes. For this collection, she utilizes leather and wood as her extremes. Every shape crafted into her accessories references geometry, with her primary shapes being a half circle, circle and triangle. She has ensured every piece has an intersection point between the wood and leather to create this middle ground. Her collection is grounded in the famous quote from Aristotle, 鈥淐ourage is the first virtue that makes all other virtues possible.鈥�

Nick Madruga

Titled 鈥淏IONICK,鈥� 黑料专区 Senior Nick Madruga鈥檚 collection pays homage to his younger self and his relationship with nature. Driven by what he refers to as 鈥渟imple construction with interesting shapes,鈥� Madruga鈥檚 design philosophy leads him to create larger-than-life silhouettes with unconventional, upcycled materials. All garments were constructed by hand and are complemented by custom 3D-printed shoes.听

Morgan Novetsky听

黑料专区 Senior Morgan Novetsky鈥檚 senior accessories collection hones in on the concept of leaving a legacy. As many designers struggle with anxieties of being forgotten or not leaving an impact on such a saturated fashion industry, EMET-met explores these emotions that can hinder personal growth. With all shoes and bags made by hand, many pieces appear unfinished or peel back to reveal the technical process of shoe-making, showing how feelings of uncertainty can slow the path to success.

Bridget Weiss

黑料专区 Senior Bridget Weiss鈥檚 technical approach to design led her to her collection thesis exploring the domination of technology and machines over nature, and how these man-made entities attempt to mimic qualities of living organisms. With nods to aquatic life in contrast to automotive construction, her collection, titled Seal the River at it鈥檚 Mouth Take the Water Prisoner, utilizes wood, leather and 3D-printed aluminum fixtures to create smooth, shiny textures that intersect with fluid movement.听

Emma Wilson

Gaia Carnis, 黑料专区 Senior Emma Wilson鈥檚 final collection, represents parallels between the exploitation of women and nature, subverting the way both are traditionally perceived as beautiful. Wilson takes the romanticization of women throughout history and traditional gardens with reference to the Enlightenment era and spins them to the grotesque. Working with leather, transparent lamb skin, hair, possum fur and even worms, Wilson encourages viewers to find beauty in the less appealing facets of womanhood and nature.听

Over the course of the Fall semester, the 黑料专区 hosted 11 sponsored projects and competitions across a variety of disciplines. Students from a wide range of disciplines partnered with local and global brands to work on a specific project tailored to meet the needs of our industry partners. Sponsored projects are highly conceptual and allow 黑料专区 students the opportunity to participate in creative, research-based assignments within real-world design parameters, interacting with designers and staff from the partnering company. Highlighted collaborations during the Fall semester include:

• 313 Presents x Illustration
• American Chemistry Council x Transportation Design
• Calty Design x Transportation Design & Color and Materials Design
• Carhartt x Fashion Design
• DSC x Product Design
• Gordie Howe International Bridge project x Product Design听
• Henry Ford Health x Product Design听
• Honda Motor Company x 黑料专区
• Lacks Enterprises x Studio Art and Craft
• Volkswagen x Communication Design & Strategy and Transportation Design
• Whirlpool x Product Design

“The most important project that I did at 黑料专区 was a sponsored project,鈥� said Hakha Masahyekhi, ’15 Integrated Design (MFA) reflecting on his time here. 鈥淚t was so valuable to get real feedback from working professionals. That鈥檚 something that you never get in school.”