HCC fashion students launch to stardom at Fashion Fusion event

Feb 2, 2018

For fashion designers, the creative process starts with inspiration, the desire to originate something beautiful. For the fourth consecutive year, students in the Houston Community College Fashion Design and Merchandising Program participated in Fashion Fusion, an event held at the majestic Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

The event, a product of a partnership between HCC and the MFAH, is a runway fashion show in which students compete with garments they designed.

Caroline Goeser, chair of the MFAH Department of Learning and Interpretation, called the alliance a powerful asset in the museum’s educational mission. “We have many people coming to the museum as a result of this partnership. This kind of professionalism from the students has strengthened our alliance.”

This year, the students designed their garments based on the MFAH exhibition “The Glamour and Romance of Oscar de la Renta.” More than 1,000 attendees, including fashion lovers, art enthusiasts, socialites and HCC officials, enjoyed the event. The categories in which the students competed were Eastern, Garden, Icons, Spain and Audience Choice.

“Right now, winning has not dawned on me yet, but I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, said Ebony Sephus, winner in the Audience Choice category. “The fact that I participated makes me feel like a winner because just being here, I already feel like a winner.”

For Maria Hammon, winner in the Spain category, the moment seemed surreal.

“When I heard my name being called, it felt like a mistake,” Hammon said. “This awards means that I am translating art into fashion.”

Winners received scholarships to the MFAH Glassell School of Art, vendor awards, Tootsie’s gift certificates and a ticket to the upcoming MFAH exhibition, Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India.

If you want to learn more about the HCC Fashion Design and Merchandising Program visit: hccs.edu/fashiondesign