Camtastic Newsletter April 2026

Student Designers Shine at the 2026 SIU Fashion Studies Runway Show

 
The annual Runway Fashion Show is one of the most anticipated student-driven events on campus, and with good reason: audiences are electrified every year when SIU’s Fashion Design students, guided by their professor, Laura Kidd, show off their stunning designs. This year was no exception: The celebration took place in the packed Ballroom D of the Student Center on April 23, and it was – once again – an overwhelming success. 
The Runway Fashion Show was preceded by the Student Showcase, curated at the Corker Lounge right outside Ballroom D, where the audience had the opportunity to meet the designers in person, get a close-up look at their creations and ask questions.
 
The lights in Ballroom D grew dim at 7 p.m., kicking off the 2026 runway show with a segment entitled “Dressed for Effect”, featuring collections of dresses for every occasion, created by first year fashion design students Grace Ahne, Bethany Foster, Iniya Jayabalan, and Faith Prior. The line by this group of freshmen was more than just a warm-up, as it drew an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from the audience.
 
Next up was a segment called “Time after Time,” showcasing the work of second and third-year fashion design students:
 

• Julia Dunlap offered Verdant, an elegant collection “inspired by art nouveau and early 20th century designers that emphasize elegance, femininity and the beauty of springtime.”
• Bailey Fry, designing under the name Bailey Reyn, presented her collection, entitled Salvaged Dreams. “I was inspired by the variety of fashion looks during the Great Depression, from the use of flour sacks as garments to the surreal designs of Elsa Schiaperelli, to create my mini collection.”
• Alexandria Akers produced a line entitled Le Nouveau: “Christian Dior’s New Look was the inspiration for my mini collection. I was also inspired by the concept of new beginnings in my use of floral motifs and classic silhouettes”.
• Anna Niemeyer, designing under the name Anna Lucia, dazzled the audience with a collection she entitledPatchwork Prairie. “I was inspired by the 1970s western styles as seen on television shows such as ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and ‘Gunsmoke’. My garments blend frontier charm and the romantic spirit of an open prairie.”
• Wanted, the collection by Hieronymus Tice, “was inspired by western styles and science fiction to create an alien outlaw theme. Black and navy fabrics are accented with red to evoke danger, blending into a dark street style”.
• Chloe Antoine showcased Reina: “A line of evening wear, inspired by the powerful women who rule without apology. Each piece reflects controlled strength and calculated elegance.”

 
The third segment of the evening belonged solely to the talents of senior designers and their respective models:

Lennon Adams demonstrated his talents in a collection named Caramel Apple Concussion: “My final collection was inspired by the dreamy love story and diverse characters of the Japanese manga series “Paradise Kiss” and was designed to have a visual impact of a swift blow of sweetness and complexity that will leave a lasting effect of stars and haze in the viewer’s mind.” 

Shantell Thompkins, designing under the name Telle, strived to create a timeless look that achieves a balance between rhythmic texture and peaceful beauty. “The collection is based on the careful technique of pleating and structure. I am inspired by the architectural wonders of seashells and the iridescent brilliance of deep-sea pearls. Every garment is designed to fit the body while honoring individuality with flowing shapes and eye-catching materials.” 

Noah Eaton delighted the crowd with “Desperado,” a collection that reimagines the trope of the western cowboy through a French lens. “I focus on cultural myth-building by viewing the gritty silhouettes of western archetypes through French art movements to define a new kind of cowboy - one that is rebellious yet sophisticated.” 

Kudos to the designers, the models, and the entire fashion design program for closing out the spring semester on such a high note. We are already looking forward to the 2027 edition of the Fashion Runway Show!
 
The entire show can be viewed here.