by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
Fashion dreams became reality for three designers at the Runway 7 fashion show on Feb. 10 as the first ever Runway Muse competition was held during New York Fashion Week.
At Sony Hall, Runway 7 and SohoMuse teamed up to feature 16 graduating student designers culled from fashion schools around the country. The designers presented two outfits each before a team of judges to determine a winner.
The first-place winner was Desislava Simeonova who was awarded an original 20-piece collection; first runner-up Jacqueline Mones who was awarded a 15-piece collection; and the second runner-up Francys Lorena Herrera who was awarded a 10-piece collection.
The students were required to present two original designs – one athleisure/streetwear, and one edgy nightlife look.
As part of the prize at Runway 7, the designers will work with Runway 7 on product development and all designs will be produced by Runway 7. In addition to a professionally produced runway show during NYFW in September 2022, all winners will have their lines featured in SohoMuse Marketplace, an e-commerce retail platform. Each designer will have an e-boutique designated specifically for direct-to-consumer sales, and online exposure for one year.
The student designers competing in the inaugural Runway Muse competition were Jamie Avadis, Bryan Barrientos, Alejandro Bárzaga, Neena Bui, Belkys Costa, Eve De La Font, Francys Lorena Herrera, Carmen Lee, Jacqueline Mones, Owen Rogoff, Alyssa Seelal, Desislava Simeonova, Ghena Spatola, Yvari Toussaint, Helen Troshyna and Lisa Husberg.
PHOTOS by MIKE CHAIKEN