The Threads Senior Collection Showcase is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Each fall, a group of fashion development and product management students set out to create their own unique five-look collections to showcase at the end of the semester. 

After four months, they were ready to show off the results of their hard work. With inspirations ranging from tropical plants to wedding parties, these designers honed their design and construction skills throughout the creation of their collections.

This year’s almost sold-out Threads Senior Collection Showcase featured unique collections from 13 Wilson College of Textiles students. Designers stood with their models in a gallery-style event, allowing patrons to walk around the Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center and view each collection at their own pace. Talking to the designers about their collections, asking questions and engaging with the models was encouraged, making it a truly immersive experience for attendees and designers alike.

Sam Koziarz-Catz: The Lethal Bloom

Carnivorous tropical plants served as the inspiration for Koziarz-Catz’s collection, “The Lethal Bloom.” He transformed the fascinating silhouettes of these flora into beautiful, architectural gowns that closely resemble the structure of the plants they represent.

“It represents nature’s duality; it’s both dangerous and beautiful,” Koziarz-Catz said.

But these amazing design feats did not come about without a few challenges. Experimentation played a big role in the design process to ensure each piece was perfect.

“When I started each look, I wrote out what I needed to make, and what was probably going to go wrong, and then alternatives for when those things did go wrong,” he said.

Kaleb Spivey: DÉJÀ VU

Kaleb Spivey’s collection “DÉJÀ VU” was inspired by the timelessness of denim across the fashion industry. Incorporating both classic and modern silhouettes, Spivey designed a collection of denim-on-denim looks, taking cues from Y2K and Western wear styles.

“We’re bringing stuff back around from back in the day and modernizing it a little bit,” Spivey said.

With a sponsorship from Cone Denim, Spivey was able to truly make his vision come to life. He used a variation of denim washes for the garments and accents of other fabrics to craft accessories. 

While the collections were already completed, event day was not without its challenges. From last-minute model changes to a stain on one of the garments, Threads was a masterclass in last-minute fixes and turning the unexpected into something amazing.

“If anybody else is about to do this, time management is 1000% something that they need to consider, because I think a lot of people were still working late last night,” Spivey said. “I’ve had some bad luck since today started, but everything fell into place how it was supposed to.” 

Other Designers and Collections