The DAAP Fashion Show, a venerable Cincinnati tradition, celebrated its 72nd anniversary on May 2nd, proving that style and creativity are alive and kicking across the river at MegaCorp Pavilion. The University of Cincinnati's DAAP (College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning) put on quite the spectacle with 35 fashion design students showcasing over 150 pieces on the runway, according to a recap from UC's News service.
Jumping beyond aesthetics, this year's creations were personal narratives that blended heritage, personal history and a variety of influences into fabric form. "They are not just beautiful creations, they are visual diaries from the hearts of these talented students," Laurie Wilson, adjunct professor and associate director of student affairs at DAAP's School of Design, told attendees. A notable example is student designer Jodie Pierce, who combined elements from her UC track team experiences into her pieces, reportedly incorporating sports memorabilia into her designs.
Her standout work earned Pierce the DAAPFASH25 director's choice award and the honor of opening the show to an audience of over 900 guests, a testament to her and the entire cohort's impressive contributions. According to the UC News article, each collection garnered applause and admiration from the crowd, suggesting that the future of fashion may well rest in the hands of DAAP's graduates.
