Student designers shine at Campus Couture
The theme for this year’s annual Campus Couture Fashion Show was “A Walking Canvas”, a 90-minute tribute to the work of the top 48 fashion design and merchandising students. By the end, though, it could easily have been dubbed “The Stephanie Langford Show.”
Langford won five awards Friday night, including Best of Show and the Necchi Award, which is presented to the designer who exhibited the best apparel production, for her line of colorful geometric designs and playful clothing.
Her collection, “Dare to Love,” was inspired by her husband, Folashade Akinboboye, a Nigerian-born musician. They have been married four years.
“The best decision I ever made,” said Langford, who married Akinboboye two months after they met on at a club in Portland.
She said her designs are intended to share the way the couple bring their cultures together and communicate a message of love and acceptance by combining wax print fabrics from his country with a streetwear design found in Southern California.
“I’m try to bring two cultures together a beautiful way,” said Langford, named last year’s Rising Star. “My clothes are an expression of our relationship. It also says that it takes courage to fall in love, to love yourself and love others.”
While Langford took home an armful of awards, there were plenty of outstanding designs on display at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. The designs were judged by a panel of six judges, including associate professor Suzanne Marshall, head of Fashion Merchandising & Design.
Senior Daniel Flores, whose designs included plenty of sparkle, glamour and red thigh-high boots, was named Outstanding Fashion Designer. His collection theme was “Flores”, which drew concepts from his Mexican culture and the beauty found in flowers.
Junior designer Nhi Bui was named this year’s Rising Star, while Paige Brubaker was awarded the “Paris Pick” – given to the designer whose styles would best be worn by someone in Paris. Judges called Brubaker’s simple and clean lines “effortless chic.”
Sophie Svennson was named Outstanding Fashion Merchandising Major, while Crystal Cotton received the Most Marketable Design award for her sophisticated designs.
