110 models graced a massive runway on Friday night, May 13th at Delta College’s Fashion Program’s annual fashion show. The runway production attracted an audience of over 1000 people who were treated to a showcase of amazing creativity.
Featuring thirteen collections, ranging from six to twelve looks each, the show was a display of the talent of fourteen emerging designers: nine students in the Fashion Design Program and four alumni designers. The show is produced by Leslie Asfour, Fashion Program Director and a handful of students who organized everything from the venue to the stage, the lighting to music, and all of the marketing and advertising.
Courtney Dempsey of Good Day Sacramento hosted the show and modeled one of the gowns designed by alumna designer Kathy Vang. Good Day Sacramento filmed a teaser segment on the morning of the show. Courtney featured the media kit designed for the show on the segment and talked about the how much detail goes into the merchandising and marketing side of the event. Heather Brent, the reporter who conducted the on-site segment commented, “Amazing designs! These students work so hard.” In a sixteen-week period, the design and merchandising students work side by side to produce the event. The designers create collections of a minimum of 6 looks each and the merchandising students produce and market the event.
Those who attended the event saw a first-class, high-fashion runway production. I have been to and have seen many fashion shows including NY, Paris, and a few in Italy, but this one was epic,” said Samira Damen, who attended the show. Mayor Anthony Silva commented, “It was professional and elegant. Congratulations to the designers and the models. But most of all if was a huge success for their leader Leslie Asfour, who cares so much about Stockton and truly loves her students!” The mayor is honoring Asfour and Natalie Minori, another instructor involved in the show at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 24th for their dedication and hard work.
The experience for the students is one they will never forget. Nelly Martinez commented, “I just got through one of the most amazing experiences of my life, which I'm going to remember forever. It is a weird feeling so happy and so sad at the same time I just want to go back and be at that time always.” Former Delta Fashion student, Megan Bowles, who is graduating from the fashion program at San Francisco State University modeled in the show and was the face of the show’s marketing pieces. She said “The SJDC A Story of Fashion was a great show! In my opinion, it was the best show yet!”
“The 2016 designers are some of the strongest we’ve had in the program,” said Asfour. “We’re really proud of their work, creativity and commitment to their craft.” The students enroll in a capstone course to create the collections shown on the runway. Many come to the class with only one year of sewing experience. “Watching their development and growth is truly inspiring and makes all of our work worthwhile,” said Asfour. The designers of this show have a bright and promising future in design.