WEAR Fashion Show

The 2024 Wear Fashion Show at UW-Stout was a captivating celebration of creativity, innovation, and personal expression through fashion. 2024's showcase featured a diverse range of collections from graduating seniors in the Fashion & Retail program. Each designer brought a unique perspective, reflecting their individual journeys, inspirations, and the culmination of their academic and practical experiences. 

Designer Introductions

Emma Cinealis | "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Emma Cinealis, from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, combines her Fashion Design and Development concentration with minors in Sociology and Sustainability. Her collection, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," draws from her personal experiences with societal reactions to her sexuality, aiming to raise awareness about the treatment of the lesbian community.

Leah Dischinger | " Peace Not War"

From Anoka, MN, Leah Dischinger's lifelong passion for sewing is evident in her collection, "Peace Not War." Inspired by the Vietnam War and the Anti-War movement, Leah's designs pay homage to one of the most influential social movements in American history.

Reem Emerson | "Opulent Dreams"

Reem Emerson's lifelong dream of becoming a fashion designer is brought to life in her bridal collection inspired by Rembrandt's paintings. Drawing from the Dutch Golden Age, her garments emphasize dramatic contrasts and meticulous attention to detail.

Nicole Sara Little | "Enveloped"

Nicole Sara Little, also from Appleton, WI, explores the intertwined nature of emotions in her collection, "Enveloped." By reimagining formal wear with unconventional materials, she highlights the coexistence of joy and sorrow in our lives.

Sofia Morin | "Tradition"

Sofia Morin, an Accessory Designer from Buffalo, MN, presents a nostalgic collection inspired by American golf culture. Highlighting various social roles within the sport, her work is a tribute to her experiences on and off the golf course.

Clare Pedersen | "Grief"

Clare Pedersen, a Fashion and Retail major with a minor in sustainability, presents "Grief," a collection exploring the emotional stages of denial, anger, depression, and acceptance. Her designs offer a thoughtful reflection on processing difficult life challenges.

Grace Schultz | "Relicta"

Grace Schultz, from Siren, Wisconsin, merges her love for fashion and drama in her collection, "Relicta." Inspired by gothic architecture, her designs comment on environments that can sometimes fail to provide the support they promise.

Graciela Sieben | "24/7"

Graciela Sieben's collection, "24/7," reflects today's relentless hustle culture, inspired by the tireless efforts of her mother. Aiming to become a Creative Director for a luxury brand, she captures the essence of feminine strength and resilience in her ready-to-wear designs.

Maiti Wood | "Growing Pains"

Maiti Wood, from Appleton, WI, channels her love for nature into her work. Her collection, "Growing Pains," delves into themes of loneliness and personal growth, urging viewers to consider the choices between comfort and transformation.

The 2023 WEAR Fashion Show, titled "Spring Is Here," celebrated the creativity and talent of UW-Stout's Fashion and Retail students. The event served as a grand farewell to graduating seniors and a showcase for the rising stars among the underclassmen. This vibrant show featured an array of collections that captured the essence of spring, creativity, and personal storytelling. Audiences were treated to innovative designs that ranged from whimsical to nostalgic, each reflecting the unique perspectives and inspirations of the young designers.

Designer Introductions

Underclassmen Designers

Sofia Morin | "Collection II" 

Sofia Morin's second collection at UW-Stout, inspired by the imaginative world of clowns, brings a playful and avant-garde twist to the runway. This collection, also featured at MN Fashion Week, explores vibrant colors, bold patterns, and theatrical silhouettes.

Emma Cinealis | "EC Designs" 

Emma Cinealis presents EC Designs, a collection inspired by the intricate beauty of colored and broken glass. Her designs reflect the delicate interplay of light and texture, creating pieces that are both visually striking and thought-provoking.

Grace Schultz | "Viridis"

Grace Schultz's collection, Viridis, draws inspiration from the fabric she discovered, incorporating elements of a 1940s silhouette. Her designs blend vintage elegance with modern sensibilities, creating a timeless aesthetic.

Jessa Sheen | "Tizzy" 

Jessa Sheen's Tizzy collection is a heartfelt tribute to her upbringing on a farm and her love for western wear. Her designs evoke a sense of rustic charm and practicality, celebrating the enduring appeal of western-inspired fashion.

Senior Designers

Emily Clemens | "Threads"

Emily Clement's collection, Threads, is inspired by the nostalgic feeling of the seventies, capturing the era's essence with notes of funk and soul, cruising cars, and film-captured memories. The four-piece collection features silhouettes heavily influenced by the seventies, with muted tones evoking a shot-with-film aesthetic. This collection is a testament to her 16-year sewing journey that began with 4-H garments.

Brenda Givens | "Dissimulation"

Brenda Givens' collection, Dissimulation, represents the emotional suppression that can lead to all-consuming depression. Through four outfits, it portrays the contrast between the public mask of happiness and the hidden sorrow of those who feel pressured to appear perfect. This collection is a tribute to individuals who hide their pain, acknowledging their unseen struggles and the impact of untreated depression.

Jordan Okonek | "Transfiguration"

Jordan Okonek's collection, Transfiguration, visually embodies the profound journey of self-discovery through four distinct stages. Each outfit conveys unique emotions using color, design, shape, and silhouette, progressing from confinement to liberation. The initial outfit symbolizes confinement, the second captures exploration, the third embodies reconstruction, and the final ensemble represents absolute freedom.

Julia Schneider | "Changing Sands"

Julia Schneider's collection, Changing Sand, reflects her passion for helping people and fashion. Inspired by the inevitable changes in life, akin to the shifting sands of a desert, her minimalist and timeless designs are tailored to enhance confidence. This collection is perfect for festivals and parties, offering stylish and adaptable pieces.

Elizabeth Skalitzky | "Beauty of Fear"

Elizabeth Skalitzky's collection, inspired by the beauty of fear, explores its powerful impact on our lives through Avant Garde garments. Each piece, titled Tight Spaces, Embarrassment, Germs, and Death, captures the overwhelming and often debilitating nature of these common fears, showcasing their ability to both challenge and shape our existence.

Anna Skoviera | "Innocence Taken"

Anna Skoviera's collection, Innocence Taken, portrays the stages of life from youthful innocence to mature self-awareness within societal standards. The four-outfit collection captures the journey from innocence and rebellion to feeling lost and, finally, achieving balance and peace amidst societal chaos. Each piece reflects the evolving emotions and identity crises faced as we grow older.

Grace Wilsmann | "Lion and the Lamb"

Grace Willisman's collection, Lion and the Lamb, is inspired by the enduring hope found amidst life's inevitable challenges, including fear, change, self-discovery, nostalgia, identity crises, and trauma. Drawing from her personal experiences and her faith in Jesus Christ, she portrays a journey of emerging stronger and hopeful through her designs. This collection aims to convey the abundant and free-flowing hope available to all who seek it.