For the past two years, we have conceptualized the past and present of the fashion industry by creating a focus based on forgotten Black designers of the past and the push for a progressive society in today’s social climate. With sustainability at the forefront of the fashion industry during a global environmental crisis, it is important that we shine a light on a more equitable and sustainable future for all. The focus of RUNWAY 2023 is Provoking Protopias.
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Provoking Protopias focuses on a better, realistic future. The difference between a utopia and a protopia world is a fine line between focusing on the problem and the possibilities. Our mission is to provoke and promote progress, not perfection. Provoking Protopias is a collaboration that disrupts societal norms and strives for a more sustainable industry that emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and equity.
RUNWAY falls on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. Change starts with action.
In a protopian future, there are always challenges and problems to be solved, but there is hope and progress as people work to create a better future. This concept emphasizes the importance of progress, innovation, and the idea that our future is shaped by our actions in the present.
SPONSORS
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PRESENTING SPONSOR
Buffalo Art Movement
PRESENTING MEDIA SPONSOR
BESPOKE
COUTURE
COLLECTION
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TWIN PETRELS VIP PARTY
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vip SPONSORS
Hosted by The Franklin Crocker Show
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DESIGNER
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RUNWAY COLLABORATIONS
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EMCEES
Maddy McDaniel
Student Director
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Emelia Seiferth
Front of House Producer
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Ariana McGee
Back of House Producer
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Judges
ALEXA JOVANOVIC
Aillie Design | Founder
@ailledesign
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AUSTIN GUYETT
BAG | By a Guy | Founder
@byaguy_
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NICOLE DAVIS
Franci Jewelry
@francijewelry
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PACO HERNANDEZ
BAM! | Buffalo Art Movement | Founder
@buffartmovement
NATALIE ANSPACH
New Era Cap | Senior Manage Apparel
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SHAWN PENROD
New Era Cap | Director, Product Development
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SHOW LINEUP
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ALUMNI COLLECTIONS
Billie Essco '18
Dante Peters '22
Rashaad Holley '19
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Provoking Protopias Video
Kyla Pharr
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FACULTY COLLECTIONS
Dr. Arlesa Shephard
Dr. Shantell Reid ‘06 ‘13
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Go buffalo Niagara Sponsored video
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SINGLE ITEM
Robby Motz
Anthony Mckeon
Alejandro Sanchez
Amnah Mohsin
Jamari Leon
Kalisha Joseph
Ves Baird
Amani Karam
Zoe Rodriquez
Lisa Siemer Harvey
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Provoking Protopias Video
Alexander Morales
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FIBER ARTS SINGLE ITEM
Eh Bpaw Dwe
Kalisha Joseph
Jakilah Greene
Gabrielle Hall
Hollie Roberts
Karrington Jackson
Lisa Siemer Harvey
Julianne Guercio
Liam Kane
Ashley Fidler
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Provoking Protopias Video
Jose Minaya
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FIBER ARTS COLLECTIONS
Liam Kane
Ashley Fidler
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STUDENT COLLECTIONS
Rebecca Siglin
Marquita Goree
Julia Jugoon
Alyssa Arena
Bella Bussard
Madison Bryant-Wagstaff
FASHION FILM
By Creative Connect | Alexander Harold
Set design | Cross Clipss
Makeup | Genevieve Richardson
Location | Legacy House
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SENIOR DESIGNERS
Kimori Jamsion
Mark Borrelli
Jakilah Greene
Alexis Remington
Madison Brown
Imani Wint
Megan Price
Mercedes Moore-Wells
Cheyenne Watkins
Sai Ravishankar
Marie Spektor
*Senior designer interviews by Legacy House
AWARDS
Ericka Hoerner Award
Styling Visionary Award
Single item award
Fiber Arts Awards
Fashion Innovator Award
Student Collection Award
Rising Star Award (Fashion Show Production & Design)
3rd Place Senior Designer
2nd Place Senior Designer
*1st Place Senior Designer & Stylist
Best in Show
People's Choice Award
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*Sponsored by Carol Townsend,
Susan McCarthy and Anonymous
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**Sponsored by Nancy Belfer
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
FTT FAculty
Erin Habes | Runway Faculty Director
Ali Eagen | Senior Design Instructor
Kym Mathis | Thrift 2 Fight Coordinator
Dr. Keunyoung Oh | FTT Chair
Dr. Shantell Reid
Dr. Shephard
Dr. Ji Young Lee
Dr. Abraham
Dr. Ercan
David Brinson
Denise Needham
Johanna Brassel
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Africana Studies
Dr. Marcus Watson
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Fibers
Jozef Bajus
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PRODUCTION
Indigo Productions
Marketing & Communications
Creative Connect
Legacy House
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VIP Crew
Christa Glennie | VIP Coordinator
Candice Urban-Green | VIP Decor
Franklin Crocker | Emcee
Craig Freudenthal | VIP Lighting
Frank Napolski | Creative Advisor
India Glennie | Video
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Models, Hair & Makeup
Thank you!
Empire Beauty
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DJ
DJ Nadi
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Red Carpet Hosts
Kaley Domin
Sean Leach
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FASHION SHOW PRODUCTION
Maddy McDaniel
Student Producer
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Emelia Seiferth
Front of House Producer
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Ariana McGee
Back of House Producer
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Julia Jugoon
Assistant FOH Producer
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Kerrisa Johnson
Assistant BOH Producer
Isabelle Hillstad
Marketing & Social Media
Hailie Puzzella
Marketing Assistant
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Karrington Jackson
Thrift 2 Fight/Activism Coordinator
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Kayeelah Ephraim
Model Coordinator, Stylist, Rebecca Siglin, and Madison Bryant-Wagstaff
Victoria Dahdal
Student VIP Coordinator
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Alexis Roth
Stylist, Alexis Remington
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Alyssa Arena
Stylist, Cheyenne Watkins
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Angelina Deleon
Stylist, Imani Wint
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Ayah Nedrick
Stylist, Saisruthi Ravishankar
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Meya Brown & Carah Kozakowski
Stylist, Julia Jugoon
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Carly Nolan
Stylist, Alexis Remington
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Damani Fraser
Stylist, Kimori Jamison
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Hannah Heil
Stylist, Fiber Arts
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Jennifer Dethlefsen
Stylist, Megan Ellis
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Jessica Agu
Stylist, Mercedes Moore-Wells
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Julia Wachna
Stylist, Madeline Brown
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Kamryn McEachin
Stylist, Jakilah Greene
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Leah Cray
Stylist, Alumni Collections
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Massa Keita | Stylist
Single Item and Faculty Collections
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Marissa Aikins
Stylist, Bella Bussard
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Meya Brown
Stylist, Marquita Goree & Julia Jugoon
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Morgan Bailey
Stylist, Mark Borrelli
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