Pima Community College’s Fashion Runway Show Features Sustainable Designs

Pima Community College’s Fashion Design Department has announced its Spring runway event, “A New Aesthetic – presenting a wardrobe that is anything but subtle” on May 19.

This live-fashion show will host an audience of 500 people. This year, the show will highlight the artistry of the students. Beginner to advanced fashion students will be featured, as well as alumni brands and local designers. The fashion department has partnered with Goodwill of Southern Arizona for the fifth year on an upcycling design project, and in the spirit of partnership, the show will feature sustainable designs on the runway. 

Last year, Janis Joplin’s estate donated several thousand dollars’ worth of fabric from the (now discontinued) “Made for Pearl” collection that her niece, Malyn Joplin Dahlin, an L.A.-based designer, created in memory of her late aunt. This collection featured contemporary interpretations of Janis’ style. PCC fashion students used this fabric, which included velvet and 70’s inspired prints, to create some of their garments that will be walking the runway.

PCC Fashion Design Department Head Nancy Spaulding said, “Our students are amazingly talented and dedicated to the craft of learning design and creating garments that are wearable and interesting. With our updated lab space and technology, students now have a new level of understanding in the digital realm and have fabulous garments to share with the Tucson community.” PCC’s fashion program incorporated the digital pattern-making CAD program –  Tukatech  into its curriculum last year to better prepare students for the future of the industry. 

This year’s fashion show director is PCC alum and designer Savannah Franco ( Zabana Clothing ). Franco also serves as the social media specialist and lab assistant in the fashion department. Nancy Spaulding also credits the hard-working and dedicated faculty for their student’s success in this new environment.  

PCC fashion has been presenting a spring fashion show for many years as a combination of fashion, food, and fundraising. Its live show at the Fox Tucson Theatre and Tucson Museum of Art in 2019 was performed to a sold-out house and raised approximately $30,000. Last year’s show in 2022, was an introduction back to the stage with an intimate audience, but had 1,200 viewers tune into the live stream. This year, Leo Rich Theater will host the experience.

For sponsorship opportunities, show program ad space, designer entry and more information on how to support the show, visit the  Pima Foundation website . A live stream option will be available via  PCCTV YouTube  page. If watching the show from home, please consider a donation to the  Fashion Design Program page through the Pima Foundation website.  Funds raised through this project will be used for student achievement awards. More information can be found @pimafashion on  Facebook  and  Instagram.

PCC’s Fashion Design Program gives students the foundational, technical skills and trend insights needed to succeed in today’s apparel industry. The program at PCC currently has five transfer pathways for graduates in the AA program: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, and California Polytechnic State University.