Sold out fashion show displays work of designers, models
An audience filled all available seating, leaving last minute attendees of Threads Fashion Show to resort to standing to view the runway as models sported clothing designed by students in the packed Finch Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.
On April 23, Threads Fashion Show sold out show with more than 1,100 tickets sold. Threads is put on by students in the Fashion and Merchandising and Design department with the help of University Events, Event Planning and Food and Nutrition classes. Student designers showed their collections on the runway with their chosen models.
Seeing the entire show come to life was the best part for fashion professor and faculty adviser of the show, Ian Mull.
"It's almost better than my expectations," Mull said. "I loved coordinating all of (the) pieces together to make the show flourish."
Awards:
Best Male Model: Ambrose Thompson
Best Female Model: Kiley Zaplitny
Rookie Designer of the Year: Sarah M. Bleecker
Ready to Wear: Allyson Vara
Evening Wear: Kelsey Lancina
Avant Garde: Kelly Tuls
Best Women's Collection: Sydney Newsome
Best Men's Collection: Zachary Stoner
Char Glover Special Guest: Jason Gagnon
Collection of the Year: Jason Gagnon
Viewers Choice: Allyson Vara
Other fashion stories:
Q&A with past Threads winner
Model diversity on the runway
Q&A with "Project Runway" finalist
Students bring international style to campus
Spring collection designed for fashion show
Students on the street: Fashion
Designers collaborate to create clothing collection
For Jason Gagnon, it was his last year participating in Threads and third time winning Collection of the Year. He also won an award from Char Glover, the guest judge of the show.
"I really wanted to bring (the award) home for my last year," Gagnon said. "Winning the Char Glover award was amazing. When we met, we immediately bonded and even took a selfie together. She gave me her card and some great pointers to help me develop more."
In total, there were 11 awards given to designers and models that were decided upon by various faculty members and outside guests during Judging Day on April 9. Audience members were encouraged to vote for their favorite collection on Threads Fashion Show CMU Facebook page during the event for the viewers choice award.
Student producer Emily Ribant said even though planning the show was so much work, she will miss the producer meetings they had to coordinate the event.
"Sometimes we had to make some really tough decisions regarding the show, but we always had a great time bonding during those meetings," Ribant said.
VIP ticket holders received priority seating in the first and second rows and general admission encompassed multiple rows behind and bleacher seating.
Threads is meant to let students show off their design talent and get real-life experience planning a live show, Mull said. Overall, there were 31 designers that participated in Threads and 150 total models. Each designer had a specific look that inspired their runway collection.
Woodhaven student Jon Koharska has modeled twice for Threads — both times for Zachary Stoner. 
"As my second time modeling, it was awesome to see everyone else experience it for the first time," Koharska said. "I did not expect it to be so overwhelmingly great last year."
Laurel Conde attended the event and said she enjoyed the whole atmosphere.
"I loved the mounted exhibition before the show because it gave a prelude for what was to come in the event," said the Salt Lake City freshman. "I also really like how the audience could have a say in who won the Viewers Choice award. It made me feel involved in the show."
