Linda Kenney

As the school year winds down, year-end activities gear up. Fashionistas in this city mark the dates and look forward to Plano's own "Project Runways."

Fashion Design II students at Plano West Senior High School and Plano Senior High School present Fashion Collections in a runway show. Their collections are the culmination of semester-long projects, projects that involve all facets of creating a collection of garments from concept to runway show. A panel of judges critiques the collections; the top three are showcased in our fashion pages. Judging is based on four criteria: Are the garments well constructed and display a finished appearance? Are there unique details and accessories? Does it all come together for a total look? Are the garments wearable? Judging was truly a difficult task; all of the collections were inspired and well executed.

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This month, the spotlight is on Plano West Senior High School; look for Plano Senior High School's turn on the runway next month.

The Top Three Collections

Christina Massad's Haute Hue showcased a panoply of vibrantly colored feminine fashions that were well tailored. The collection displayed Christina's knack for designing scene-stealing fashions. Details such as ruffles, bows and pleats were well executed. Christina plans to attend the Borough of Manhattan Community College where she will study fashion, later matriculating to Parsons School of Art and Design or Fashion Institute of Technology.

A summer visit to Mykonos, Greece, was the inspiration for Claire Rodgers' Isle of Couture. She designed a collection for women and children. The lovely pastel dresses reflected the light and airy look of summer. Classic tailoring and traditional lines made the collection alluring and wearable. Claire will attend Brookhaven College in the fall, later transferring to either the University of Texas or Fashion Institute of Technology.

All things oceanic, such as mermaids, fish and coral, inspired Kate Webb's What the Water Gave Me. She incorporated the captivating textures and colors of the ocean, spawning a unique collection with detailed construction. Kate will be attending Texas Tech University and will study Apparel Design Manufacturing and Journalism. She would like to be the editor-in-chief of a major fashion magazine in the future.



Lights, camera, action

Transformed into a runway show venue, the Plano West Senior High School auditorium was abuzz with animated designers, excited models, nervous production staff, and delighted parents. Planning, work, preparation, and last-minute details were all worked out under the tutelage of Fashion Design instructor Jodie Miller.

It was night of glamour and fashion as Fashion Design II presented "Alice in Runway Land 2012."

Student designers and collections included Fahmeen Shaikh, A Touch of Lace; Courtney McHenry, Celebrity Limelight; Hayley Chow, Down to Earth; Melissa Kahn, Radio City Runway; Shelby Quinn, Flirt the Skirt; Ember Lewis, Modern Dresses; Dimitri Gamulkiewicz, Welcome to the Black Parade; and Lynn Rozkin, Chinese Fire Drill.

Student models included Ashley Brondeel, Paris Brooks, Stephanie Bruskas, Bett Cao, Claire Charbonneau, Darron Crump, Sabrina Ebrahim, Jordan Ellett, Casey Evans, Erin Franc, Lena Hairadin, Hannah Hogg, Louisa Jackson-Young, Jessi Laday, Sherrin Mathew, Arta Mehmeti, Natasha Meymand, Allison Miller, Jaz Pate, Emilia Perez, Jessica Rife, Kristen Salsman, Alex Stieber, Danielle Thompson, Krystal Warren, and Sade Yancy. Special guest models included Kaiya Adams, Kenyon Adams, CoCo McHenry, Elle Miller, Mia Miller, and Edie Zygan. Makeup by Jon Parker of Salon Republic