Pima Fashion’s Runway Show, “A New Aesthetic,” Features Sustainable Designs, May 19
What: Pima’s Fashion Design Department Annual Fashion Show - A New Aesthetic
Where: TCC - Leo Rich Theater, 260 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
When: May 19, 2023, 7:30 p.m.; 6 p.m. - VIP Reception, 7 p.m. - General Admission/Doors
Tickets: On sale via Ticketmaster. General Admission tickets: $25, VIP tickets: $60.
Tucson, AZ – The Pima Community College Fashion Design Department presents their Spring runway event, “A New Aesthetic, presenting a wardrobe that is anything but subtle.” This live-fashion show will host an audience of 500. The show will highlight the artistry of students. Beginners 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. Pima fashion students used this fabric, which included velvet and 70’s inspired prints, to create some of their garments which will be walking the runway.
Pima Fashion Design Department Head, Nancy Spaulding says, “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.” Pima’s Fashion program incorporated the digital pattern-making CAD program, Tukatech, into their curriculum last year to better prepare students for the future of the industry.
This year’s fashion show director is Pima Fashion 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.
Pima Fashion has been presenting their Spring Fashion show for many years as a combination of fashion, food, and fundraising. Their 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, the show is headed to the Leo Rich Theater for the ultimate fashionable experience!
Pima’s Fashion Design Program gives students the foundational, technical skills and trend insights needed to succeed in today’s apparel industry. The program at Pima currently has five (5) transfer pathways for graduates in the AA program: ASU, NAU, UofA, and CalPoly in Pomona, California.
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. Follow @pimafashion on Facebook and Instagram.
CONTACTS:
Carina Garcia
Marketing and Publicity Coordinator
Arts Division
Pima Community College
clisalda@pima.edu, 520-206-3062
Savannah Franco, Pima Fashion Show Director
sfranco6@pima.edu, 520 406 9617