Centralight

Education in style Fashion always comes back. And that is what Central Michigan University's apparel merchandising and design department showed the audience at the 14th Annual Threads fashion show. The more than 1,000 in attendance saw 36 collections from 39 designers that showcased fashion trends through time. Starting as far back as Ancient Egypt, the student designers reinterpreted trends and modernized the decades. Fraser senior Laura Czupinski and Riverdale senior Jason Gagnon served as co- producers of the event. This year, eight judges selected the winners of 14 different awards, including The Johnathan Kayne Designer Award. That award, named after the Project Runway contestant, gives the opportunity for a CMU student to work with the reality television show designer. The winner was Romeo senior Justine Young for her 'Fashion is a Battlefield' collection inspired by the 1980s. Apparel merchandising and design faculty member Carol Beard said winning the award will allow Young to work with Kayne on an original design. "Kayne is offering a chance for one of our students to design a garment with him that will be sold across the country," Beard said. "This will help prepare her for a real-world experience. "And that is what Threads is all about – a fun and educational way to give our students experience that will give them an edge." 30 centralight summer '12 PHOTOS BY PEGGY BRISBANE

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