With the lighting, live music and looks, Threads Avant Garden Fashion Show gave attendees and participants a high fashion experience. The front row mirrored their heads to follow bright, mature and edgy designs under smokey lights down the runway.

On April 11, guests walked into Finch Fieldhouse to see it transformed into a runway with green turf covering the tan floors. In the middle, a string quartet played music surrounded by floral arrangements as the models walked.

The show featured about 25 designers and was sold out. Venue committee member Max Landry said it was Threads’ biggest show produced with the biggest budget.

“You can’t get this experience anywhere else. It’s like the biggest campus event,” Landry said. “I love it, and I’m really proud of my work and everybody else’s hard work.”

The concept Avant Garden takes viewers through different stages of life, growing from birth to decay. A video by Landry was shown at the start of the show that featured interviews with children and adults sharing their perspectives on life and beauty.

“It was very well executed. This is the first time I’ve ever come to this event here and I was very impressed with how everything was coordinated, how professionally we were greeted, and just the depth of talent that was displayed,” guest Denise Pepin said. “I could perceive this being in Paris or New York.”

After the introduction, the first model opened the show wearing Milena Dharte’s design. The beginning looks incorporated pastel and floral details. Models walked under bright lights while the quartet played elegant music.

Throughout the show, the colors of the garments became more muted. The movement of the fabric caught the warmer lights, signaling the growth stage of the theme.

The lighting grew smoky, and the music more mournful as the collections reflected decay and death. Designs towards the end focused on distressed denim, recycled materials, Western fashion and gothic style.

“We loved it. It was empowering. It was exciting, because it’s a very different way of showing artistry and creativity,” guest Clare Regan said. “Seeing the concepts created materially was so cool, and I liked seeing the vast variety of what the mind can do.”

Regan came to support her brother, Donnie Regan, who walked for designer Brandon Miller. She loved the details on the models from head to toe.

Model Mackenzie Malette said this show was more elegant and graceful compared to past shows, conveying a concept instead of an overall theme. It was her third year in a row walking for Threads.

“It was pretty nerve-racking at first, but we got a lot of practice, and it was a pretty cool experience,” first-time model Fisher Halsey said.

Jessica Foss, a member of the venue committee, did the decorations for the show. She said she wanted to immerse the audience in the theme with the lighting and floral arrangements. The runway reflected the birth and life aspect of Avant Garden since that section had the most looks.

“I grew up in Mount Pleasant, so this is my first time back to Finch Fieldhouse, and I thought ‘oh my gosh, no way are they going to pull this off here,’ and it’s incredible,” guest Kristin Halsey said. “I love the whole venue and the Avant Garden vibes going on.”

Andre Martin, Kyrai Martin and Kayleah Martin attended to support DeAndre Martin, who walked in the show. Andre said the show was amazing.

“Tremendous. It was great. I love the setup,” Kyrai said. “It gave me the real feel of sitting at a New York City fashion show and being able to see the walk through and everything.”

Central Michigan senior Kyrie' Hall walks down the runaway after the 'Avant Garden: Threads Fashion Show' modeling Pollinators in Play designed by Zoe Renner at Finch Fieldhouse, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (CM-Life | Mary Nowosacki)

Off the runway

Show day for the crew started as early as 7:30 a.m. Instead of a full-dress rehearsal like they typically do, the models did a shoe rehearsal to walk the floor.

Volunteer Justine Emmons said things ran seamlessly, and the production team had everything under control. The day prior to show day was much busier since they were setting everything up, Foss said.

The three producers, Cayla Cataline, Paityn Deforest and Kerrigan Yarbrough, were able to sit in the crowd and watch the show after working on it since May. They each gave a speech after the last look, thanking everyone for their dedication.

Other members of production stayed until 10:00 p.m. to take everything down, Landry said.

“I just want everybody to see that these kids are really putting in the work,” she said. “We’re not half-assing this.”

Central Michigan University junior Sophie Lopez walks down the runway modeling Ni de Aqui, Ne de Alla designed by Emily Gonzalez at Finch Fieldhouse, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (CM-Life | Mary Nowosacki)

Giving the designers their flowers

The show ended with the designers being recognized for their artistry.

“The production crew can run around and yell at people and get people in their places all day, but come on, the designers are the stars, truly,” Landry said.

Designers were awarded the following:

David Bednarek won $300 and the Rookie of the Year Award for the collection “Pestoral Goods.”
Emily Stabile won the Best Collection Award from the collection development class for “Blush and Bloom.”
Sarahi Flores won $300 and the Best Collection Award from the draping class for “We the Immigrants.”
Mari Rose won $200 and the Best Use of Technology Award for “Graphic Dichotomy.”
Lee Landis won $300 and the Sustainability Award for “Blooming Cobra Lilies.”
Delphine Rossignol won $400 and the Best Graduate Collection Award for “Disenchanted Book.”
Bryn Oakes won $400 with the most Avant Garde Award and $400 for the Viewer’s Choice Award
Dharte won $600 and the Best Overall Collection Award for “Glass.”