Runup to the runway: fashion design majors showcase capstone collections

A standing-room crowd of friends, family, professors, and staff filled the Indiana Memorial Union’s Alumni Hall Thursday, April 9 to support twenty-nine fashion design students showcasing their capstone projects at the IU Fashion Design B.A. Fashion Show.  

The final requirement for the Fashion Design B.A. is to create and showcase a collection of four to six outfits that are centered around a concept of their choice. Many students took inspiration from their personal lives and interests to complete their collection; some integrating media and techniques acquired across the Eskenazi School. Caroline Dunigan incorporated an accessory she learned to make in a metalsmithing class to a dress; Jocie Horne, a fashion design and fibers student, showed a skirt that she’d woven on a loom.  

The majors’ visually cohesive collections were conceptually grounded. “My collection is centered on self-discovery through solitude,” says Max Miller, “using the idea of caves as both a physical and emotional space. Caves strip everything away, there’s no noise, no outside pressure, just you and your thoughts. That environment became a metaphor for internal reflection and growth.  

“Visually, I translated that into organic forms, textured surfaces, and garments that feel almost like they’ve been shaped by natural forces over time,” Miller says of his six-piece collection. “There’s a balance between chaos and control, which reflects that internal tension of trying to understand yourself.” 

Miller says that seeing his creations come to life has been a satisfying and rewarding experience, especially when working on a complicated section of a garment. He loved seeing the moment where his initial concept designs and his craftsmanship connected to create the finished products.  

“There’s something really powerful about taking an idea that only exists in your head and physically building it into something real,” says Miller.  

Winner of the top prize in the Indiana chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters’ competition in March, Miller says that the Fashion Design B.A. program has helped strengthen his focus, discipline, and problem-solving skills.  

“It’s helped me become more confident in my voice as a designer and more clear on the type of work I want to create,” he says. 

Fashion design major Zil Then’s collection is based on the concept she calls “Silent Power.” “The inspiration for this concept comes from observing women who are leaders and  powerful figures, and the way they carry their presence,” she explains. “Their strength is subtle yet undeniable, and they naturally command respect. These women do not perform power; they embody it through the way they dress. This idea led me to explore how clothing can reflect internal authority. 

Oversized blazers and sculpted shoulders symbolize protection, control, and command, while elongated trousers and fluid layers create movement that feels deliberate and grounded. A muted, grounded color palette removes distraction, allowing silhouette, texture, and construction to speak. In this way my collection is not just a visual theme, but a philosophy expressed through tailoring, proportion, and restraint.”

The elegant restraint of Then’s capstone collection stands in marked contrast to the light-hearted spirit of the look she created to commemorate the Hoosiers’ Rose Bowl appearance. A photo shoot of the design upcycled from IU athletic jerseys set in Memorial Stadium went viral on social media and earned her TV news coverage.  Experimenting with different materials and unfamiliar design processes, Then says, pushes her to work creatively.  

The fashion design program has prepared Then for her future career in the fashion industry, she says. “From portfolio reviews to resume preparation and hands-on design experience, the program has helped me build the confidence and skills necessary to enter the professional field,” says Then. 

Much of that preparation pivots on the rigor of the design process, which from concept development to final products, might take about two months, according to Miller and Then. The fashion design students began working on their capstone at the beginning of the semester, first developing their concepts, sketching out the pieces of their collections, and creating design boards. After solidifying the designs, the students began making patterns and creating mock-ups for fittings. Constructing and designing garments for the final looks, according to Then, took about five weeks to complete. Fashion design students were finalizing their collections up until the week of the show.  

With graduation right around the corner, both Miller and Then have goals to continue working in fashion. Miller plans to continue building his own brand centered around high-quality and concept-driven garments. As he puts it, “I’m interested in developing pieces that balance craftsmanship with strong visual identity, something that feels like wearable art but still functional.” 

Then’s post-graduation goals are to work in a corporate fashion role to gain industry experience.  

“I am especially interested in working with brands that prioritize recycled materials, environmentally responsible practices, and innovative approaches to sustainable fashion,” she explains.