The lights dim in the Lyceum as music begins and models strut down the illuminated stage, wearing a variety of one-of-a-kind garments designed by South’s Fashion Design program, Melissa Pfister, Fashion Design Teacher, said.

The Fashion Show is an annual spring showcase highlighting the work of South’s Fashion Design students, taking place on May 28. Each designer, in course levels three through seven, creates one or more collections to present, Pfister explained. From the inspiration process to sketching, sewing, model fitting, and styling, the entire process is student-driven, she said.

“It’s the ultimate culminating experience for students who’ve worked really hard on creating their own collection from start to finish.” Pfister said.

This year, the Fashion Design Studio 2 students will be incorporated into the Fashion Show for the first time, Pfister said. Though they are only in their second semester of Fashion Design classes, they will model the garments they have created in the show.

“Fashion Design 2 students [are] the opening act,” Pfister said. “We’ll introduce what Fashion 2 students do during class, [and] it’s a chance for them to showcase their designs and see the [level three] through [level seven students] present their collections.”

For senior Kevin Pinarkyil, he is excited to present his collared, button-down shirt he has been working on this semester as a Fashion Design Studio 2 student.

“I’m a little bit nervous of how [being in the show] is [going to] turn out, but nevertheless, I am really excited to see how everyone else’s garments look and their [collection’s] theme,” Pinarkyil said.

Senior Sophie Szafranski has been involved in the Fashion Show from its debut in 2023. Her collection, “Secrets of the Deep”, inspired by her love for the ocean, incorporates a wide variety of colors, textures, and embellishments.

“It’s really exciting to have [my time at South] end on such a good note,” Szafranski said. “Everyone in our class is so talented, but I’m most excited about showing off everything that I’ve been working on for so long.”

Next year, Szafranski will be attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for Fashion Design and Merchandising, and although the university has fashion shows there, she will miss the relationships formed in the Fashion program at South, Szafranski said.

“Moving from a high school fashion show to a college fashion show [is] sad because all the relationships built [at South are] a big part of [enjoying the fashion program],” Szafranski said. “[The relationships] help pull the show together.”