Visual Arts

Spotlight: A Survey of the Buffalo State Runway Student Designers

by / Mar. 30, 2016 12am EST

On April 16, Buffalo State College’s Fashion and Textile Technology Department will hold their annual Runway fashion show. The professional level show aims to highlight the work of student and alumni designers, who work with local boutiques, models, and hair and makeup stylists. These students are keyed into the Buffalo fashion scene, so this week we surveyed the group for their ideas on what’s trending and how they percieve fashion in Buffalo.


TONI DIGATI
Age: 23
Major: Apparel Design

How would you describe your fashion style?
Odd. Some days I look very feminine, other days I look like I crawled out of a dumpster and wear these leopard print pants with metal patches all over them. They are from high school. I usually combine the two looks though; a metal shirt with a really elegant skirt and cardigan—nobody bothers me about it.

What are your goals as a fashion designer?
Sustainability is something I really care about. I know I won’t be the lone savior of earth or anything like that, but sometimes it only takes a handful of people to become a cultural movement. Fast fashion is a sore on humanity and the environment. I could go on forever, but I’m making a collection right now. 

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why? 
Solveig Hisdal from Oleana is my absolute favorite. Oleana sells mostly knitwear made with natural fibers, like wool and silk in beautiful floral prints. They are a small company and everything is made by their staff of about 70 people in Norway. The people who make the garments are very skilled and put all of their effort into making a beautiful piece of clothing, and it shows. Oleana is one of those companies that puts quality over quantity.

How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
I have to say UGGs covered in salt is not my favorite look, but everyone has their thing. 


MEGAN LUONGO
Age: 21
Major: Textile Design
 

How or why did you get involved in Buffalo State Runway?
Being a Textile Design major who concentrates on designing fabric prints, I signed up for a collection in Runway having no sewing or garment construction experience whatsoever. I finally decided to do a Senior Collection in Runway first as a way to push me to learn how to sew and construct garments, and second to finally be able to see my fabric prints on real fabric and being used for something really cool.

How would you describe your fashion style?
I would describe my fashion style as vintage, with a unique modern twist. I love thrift shopping for vintage finds, especially garments with a unique print.

What are your goals as a fashion designer?
As a textile designer, I hope to be able to make a career out of designing prints for fashion garments, whether it be through computer aided design or dyeing/weaving fabrics.

How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
I think fashion in Buffalo has a decent place in the city, more than some cities, and also less than a lot of cities. We are fortunate enough to have a good boutique/small business scene on Elmwood and I encourage more people to shop there instead of malls to ensure more unique finds.


NAISHA DENISE BROCK​
Age:
 24
Major: Apparel Design 

How would you describe your fashion style?
I would say that my style is chic and comfortable. I like to show off my curves.

What are your goals as a fashion designer? 
My goals as a fashion designer is to design for plus-size woman and to also, of course, have my own company.

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why? 
My favorite fashion designer is Christian Siriano. I like him because his style is amazing.

How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
The fashion in Buffalo I would say is comfortable and chic with a street style trend.


ANNA DUSZA

Age: 22
Major: Apparel Design

How or why did you get involved in Buffalo State Runway?
I first attended Runway during my freshman year of college. After going, I decided that I wanted to put my skills to the test and I participated the next year when I created a single garment. I loved the experience, so I created a whole collection my junior year to prepare myself for the challenge of senior collection, which I knew I wanted to be a part of.

What are your goals as a fashion designer?
I ultimately want to be a part of the shop local community and display my own skills and those of other designers that I admire. I want to create unique pieces that empower others and make them feel the way clothes make me feel.

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?
I really appreciate all designers who put thought and love into their work.

How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
Buffalo as a city is thriving and you can see that in the fashion community as well. You can see every sort of style and I think that’s something to be admired.


TATIANA ANTOINETTE MARTIN

Age: 23
Major: Fashion Textile Technology and Business Administration 

How or why did you get involved in Buffalo State Runway?
I got involved in Runway through the senior project course that allows the seniors in the program to showcase their talent. 

What are your goals as a fashion designer? 
I ultimately want to own a women’s wear brand that manufactures in West/Sub Saharan African regions. I’m passionate about the development of women in disenfranchised and impoverished developing countries in those areas, and would love to be a part of helping them take better care of themselves, their family, and their communities. 

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why? 
I really enjoy Elie Saab. Not only is his clothing elegant and timeless…but his overall story of how he came up in the industry is one that I can relate to. 

How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
There are so many different people here in Buffalo, with various cultures and occupations. With that being said it isn’t at all surprising that the fashion scene is growing. 


SAMANTHA BINGENHEIMER

Age: 23
Major: Apparel Design

How or why did you get involved in Buffalo State Runway?
I wanted to be involved in Buffalo State Runway because as fashion students, it’s something we aspire our whole college career to be a part of, it’s the highlight of our senior year. 

How would you describe your fashion style?
My fashion style is definitely flirty, but I always like to add a little edge to my look. 

What are your goals as a fashion designer? 
I always said I was going to open up my own bridal boutique, because nothing seems better than seeing a woman’s eyes light up when they find “the dress”. However as I’ve grown I’ve realized that while that still is a dream of mine, I’d love to experience the luxury end of the fashion industry. 

How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
Fashion in Buffalo seems so unique to me, there is no set style—it can range from country to hipster. Each individual seems to take current trends and make them truly something of their own. 


VERONICA MICHALEK
Age: 21
Major: Apparel Design

How or why did you get involved in Buffalo State Runway?
Runway at Buffalo State is the best way to challenge yourself if you’re involved in the fashion department, especially if your major is apparel design. You have creative freedom. It feels really amazing to show what you’ve been putting all of your hard work into.

How would you describe your fashion style?
My style is kind of this weird mix right now. I haven’t figured out what it is yet but I’m also trying to start shopping completely secondhand, vintage, or handmade. I haven’t purchased any fast-fashion clothing in the past six months—I would like to reduce my own carbon footprint in shopping for clothing and as a designer. 

What are your goals as a fashion designer? 
My main goal is to work on being a sustainable fashion designer. Right now sustainability and transparency in a brand is what the fashion industry needs in order to continue producing clothing and employing people worldwide. 

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why? 
This is a hard question to answer but Elie Saab has always been one of my favorite designers ever since I saw Mila Kunis wearing one of his gowns at the 2011 Oscars. His designs never fail to be beautiful and intricately detailed. 


ANDREW JOHNSON
Age: 26
Major: Apparel Design

How would you describe your fashion style?
My style is still developing. I like mixing historical/classic looks with either asymmetry and/or modern, still developing—like doing pops of color with neutrals.

What are your goals as a fashion designer? 
My goals as a fashion designer are to, first, work creatively for an established company. I am curious but undecided about possibly starting my own company/brand—I would want to keep the business small though.

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why? 
Favorite and most inspiring designer for me is Cristobal Balenciaga. He was a fashion inovator of his time.

How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
Fashion in Buffalo is a growing industry. I see people trying to start their own businesses more often—part of the Buffalo resurgence. Vintage is popular. 


JESSIKA HARRISON

Age: 22
Major: Apparel design

How or why did you get involved in Buffalo State Runway?
I have been a student at Buffalo State for four years now and this has been something I have always wanted to be a part of. I helped model two years ago for the show and had a blast. I’m excited that this time around I get to do what I love and present it.  

How would you describe your fashion style?
My style definitely right now is all over the place. How I dress is based off how I feel that day. If I want to look cute I’ll put more effort into it but some days I’m looking for comfort and I’ll throw on leggings and a flannel. How I buy my clothes is always based off getting a good deal. Coupons, clearance and thrifting is how I create my style. Who doesn’t love a bargain? 

What are your goals as a fashion designer? 
Some of my goals as a fashion designer is to create classic looks for everyone. We all have insecurities with our bodies and want clothing to hide those parts but also want the trending style right now. My goal is to design those items and make girls feel confident and ready to take on anything. 

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why? 
I don’t really have a favorite designer. I love studying all different designers and watching fashion transform during each season.
How would you describe fashion in Buffalo?
Buffalo’s fashion is unique. I love observing people and seeing what they are wearing. I’m always people watching. I work in a local boutique called “Monroe’s Place” in Hamburg where I’m from. I spend the majority of my time helping teenage girls look for prom dresses. I love seeing the different styles that come in and out of the store. It’s fun comparing their styles to the styles I see on campus. 


RUNWAY - ECO-LUTION

April 16 
3pm: Student ticket: $10General ticket: $15
8pm: General ticket $25 / VIP Tickets $100

runway.buffalostate.edu
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All proceeds go to the Fashion and Textiles Technology Scholarship Fund.

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