SCAD Atlanta's Spring Fashion Show

SCAD Atlanta’s Spring Fashion Show: A Testament to Collective Creativity

SCAD Atlanta’s Spring Fashion was a sure testament to the fact that creators of different backgrounds and specialties are needed to operate a successful showcase for both Savannah and Atlanta’s senior collection showcase. With the help of logistics, the event setup crew, sewing technicians, fashion professors, the beauty department of hair and makeup, models, the tenacity of our senior fashion designers, and other respective contributors, we were all able to sit back and enjoy the high-fashion showcase of our graduating fashion student class.

There were many fashion moguls in attendance, such as Daniel Martin and Emma Chadwick, as well as many SCAD students who were watching the fashion show from above their dormitory building. It’s important to note that the support and enthusiasm of our audience, including the many SCAD students viewing from above, played a significant role in the event’s success. It set the tone for everyone to show up and pull that outfit from their closet that they’ve been saving for a special occasion.

This fashion show reinforced SCAD’s credibility as an art and design school capable of executing a show at a fashion industry level.

Logistics

Stephanie Hayes, fashion support coordinator at the Savannah campus, worked in close collaboration with SCAD fashion students to maintain persistent check-ins and discover the themes of their designs. This allowed the logistics team to understand the vision of the models they had in mind and to accommodate the needs of seniors.

“We try to accommodate the needs of the seniors and their desires for their collection while creating a diversified runway show for the future,” Hayes said. This includes determining what kinds of models—whether nonbinary, plus-size, or multicultural—are needed.

From there, coordinators selected models who committed to rehearsing their walking routines to ensure each garment was tailored to their specific bodies for the show. Sewing technicians worked closely with designers and models, addressing loose threads and other last-minute sewing fixes on show day.

There was a height requirement of at least five feet eight inches to model in the show to meet industry standards. Typically, the logistics team begins preparing a year in advance to produce a showcase of this scale. One constant surprise? How each designer implements unexpected elements and innovation beyond trending aesthetics.

Beauty: Hair and Makeup

Ella Cosmon, a senior at SCAD Savannah majoring in the business of beauty and fragrance, came to Atlanta to help execute the vision set by lead creative makeup director Daniel Martin. She also provided media coverage surrounding the 'beauty side of the show.'

Emma, one of the makeup artists, said her contribution aimed for healthy, glowing, dewy skin for each model. This approach allowed the models to feel comfortable, complemented the warmer outdoor weather, and minimized product transfer onto garments.

“Seventy percent of the look was skincare, and 30% was makeup,” she said. “That might include a variety of eye looks and a pop of color on the lips.”

As a makeup artist, learning color theory helped Emma better understand different skin undertones and how to mix pigments to achieve a complementary finish. A standout skincare product used across the board was Tatcha, which worked for all skin types.

“What’s so great about today is we have models of all different races and genders and skin tones,” she said. “It’s so nice that we’re able to use products like Danessa Myricks, who has such an inclusive line, so we’re confident applying makeup to everybody without barriers.”

Indya Murphy, an interior design student and one of the hairstylists at the show, embodies creativity and adaptability. Her understanding of physics and design has helped her create some of the intricate hair looks seen during the show.
“In the midst of making the chandelier piece, I had to include physics,” Murphy said. “The designer wanted lights in it ... which became my first sculpture.”

She noted that creative disciplines blend in unexpected ways and that she embraces challenges without fighting against the hair’s natural tendencies.

“Hair is ever-flowing,” she said. “It’ll do what it wants, so I go with it and use physics to shape it into something functional and out of the box.”

Model Perspective

Angel Jackson, a junior fashion marketing major at SCAD Atlanta, described his modeling debut as exciting and fun. He appreciated the opportunity to walk in the senior collection show and represent the designers’ pieces.

He noted key differences in the aesthetics between Atlanta and Savannah designers.

“Atlanta designs are darker and use softer, flowier fabrics,” Jackson said. “But the Savannah designs—no joke—are more angular with rougher textures.”

He interpreted these stylistic differences as a reflection of the 'political climates of each city'. Atlanta’s liberal leanings might influence its softer, more experimental designs, while Savannah’s conservatism could be reflected in its structure and rigidity.

The Show
From the moment the show began, attendees arrived in intricate styles—formal, chic, bohemian, and everything in between. Many designers mingled in the crowd, nervous but hopeful about the show’s turnout.

Despite any pre-show jitters, the crowd was wowed by the originality of the collections. The senior designers at SCAD pushed creative boundaries with their innovation and flair. It felt like a moment to channel Rihanna herself—envisioning which pieces could elevate your personal wardrobe.

By the end of the show, the smiles on the faces of the models and designers made it clear how much the experience meant. Watching them walk beside their collections, we saw the human hands and hearts behind the clothes. It was a beautiful moment of artistry, labor, and community coming together.