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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.

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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

@neweracap

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SHAWN PENROD

New Era Cap | Director, Product Development

@neweracap

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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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