This year FIDM started off its annual Debut Runway show with the theme “entertainment.” To open the show they did a mashup of the musicals “Kiss me Kate,” “Follies,” “Mame,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Will Rogers Follies,” “Hello Dolly,” and “Sister Act.”

Each act had a model in an intricate piece of clothing, from a pope’s costume, to an over the top 1920’s inspired headpiece and wings. All of the outfits were designed by a member of the the costume department.

The FIDM Debut Runway Show has been taking place for over three decades now, and consists of works by Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising seniors and graduates. Each participant is hand-picked out of the Advanced Study Fashion Design Program, and given the chance to show their works for thousands of people. This year’s participants were Daniel Henson, Samantha Sneed, Jette Kavanagh, Martha Calderon, Willis Park, Dustin Mangan, Mary Kluge, Leonides Garcia, Anthony Herrera, Vanessa Puccini, Luar, and Leetal Platt.

Views from behind the scenes at #FIDMDEBUT. #BTS pic.twitter.com/7DGdBCsszJ

— FIDM (@FIDM) March 21, 2015

All of the students took their lines in very different directions.

Vanessa Puccini, a student originally from Georgia, put together a line shes says was inspired by her vision of heaven. Her collection featured fall silhouettes in spring colors, such as structured jackets in

blush and lilac. She finished the collection with four gowns in pastel colors with holographic details.

In a completely opposite direction, designer Luar created a gothic collection, inspired by rough patches in his life and conceptual art. His pieces were mainly black with pleather detailing and red sequences.

Willis Park, a graduate who studied textiles, was featured with his children’s fall/winter line. He created pieces such as ponchos, dresses, and sweaters. Each piece had a famous painting on it, such as “Starry Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh and “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli.

Foothill Junior Adrinna Escobar enjoyed this line.

“I loved Willis Parks’ line, it was so adorable to see the kids walk onto the stage and have fun while doing it,” she said.

FIDM’s 2015 Debut Runway show went off without a hitch. It’s a great opportunity for young designers to make their names known; many of FIDM’s graduates go on to do great things in the fashion industry. Graduates such as Nick Verreos, Alan del Rosario, and Brian Sullivan went on to create their own lines sold in major stores.

If you’re interested in going into the fashion industry, FIDM is a great university to keep in mind.

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