Chippewa Valley Times

Fashion design seniors at the University of Wisconsin-Stout are gearing up to bring their capstone collections to life at the WEAR Fashion Show on April 27. The event will feature a variety of unique and creative designs by graduating students, showcasing their skills and creativity to a wider audience.

Reem Emerson, one of the graduating seniors, will present a bridalwear collection inspired by the Dutch Golden Age. Emerson expressed her excitement about the show, stating, “I am very excited to show the black wedding dress from my collection. I feel that this specific dress really embodies my inspiration and is unlike anything currently available on the bridalwear market.”

Emma Cinealis, another graduating senior, drew inspiration from her personal experiences for her collection titled Don't Ask, Don't Tell. She explained, “The purpose of my collection is to bring awareness to the way that society treats the lesbian community.” Cinealis's collection features outfits with deeper meanings, such as “Concealment” and “Oversexualization,” reflecting the struggles faced by the lesbian community.

Sofia Morin, who will also graduate this spring, found inspiration for her collection, Tradition, from her lifelong passion for golf. Morin's collection explores the characters and personalities associated with American golf, including “The Golfer,” “The Caddy,” and “The Member's Wife.” She shared, “It is so fulfilling to see the looks come to life on the model and watch how they can become the character I put them in.”

The fashion show, organized by the WEAR Fashion Association student organization, is part of UW-Stout’s Spring Showcase of student-centered events. The event will feature a runway show where the seniors' collections will be modeled, followed by a trade show-style exhibit for attendees to meet the designers and see the garments up close.

As the seniors prepare to graduate and embark on their careers, they credit the university's fashion design program for providing them with the skills and knowledge needed for success. Cinealis and Morin have already secured positions in the industry, with Cinealis becoming an assistant designer at Kohl's and Morin starting her career with Steve Madden on the Anne Klein fashion accessories team.

The WEAR Fashion Show promises to be a celebration of creativity, talent, and hard work, as these aspiring designers prepare to make their mark in the fashion industry.