Each year, Villa’s Fashion Design and Merchandising students collaborate to produce a fashion show that showcases the work students created during the fall and spring semesters. This year’s installment, Affinity: Together We Grow, took place on April 29, 2017.
According to Shaniqua Hammond, a senior in Villa’s Fashion Design and Merchandising program and an organizer of the show, “‘Affinity’ represents a similarity of characteristics suggesting a relationship between people, animals and nature. In this diverse world, as in nature, all things are related,” she said. “We can embrace the strength and beauty of a diverse world while finding commonalities and similarities in everyone and everything. In those commonalities, we can find ways to connect and appreciate all people, animals and nature.”
Affinity was designed to reflect the College’s 2017 core value: respect for human dignity. As such, attendees were able to participate in a silent basket raffle in support of Haven House, a local organization that works to prevent domestic violence and intimate partner violence and to promote peace in the home.
Best in Show: Danielle Strachan
Best Collection: Shaniqua Hammond
Best Craftsmanship: Robert Hicks
Best Original Design: Jahaira Rivera
Best Emerging Designer: Michaela Norris
Most Creative: Tiffany Canty
Best Catwalk: Cassy Leigh Wahl
Best Styling: Shianne Gibson
Best Illustration:Robert Hicks
For behind-the-scenes and event photos, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHskZuLdQs.
A piece from Senior Designer Danielle Strachan’s ‘Nubian’ Collection, which was awarded Best in Show at Affinity.
Promotion Coordinator and Senior Fashion Designer Shaniqua Hammond created this look for her collection Blooming Beauty, which was awarded Best Collection at Affinity 2017.
Robert Hicks models his own design, a jacket which won best craftsmanship at Affinity 2017.
