Aleena Brown Wins Designer of the Year at SNR’s 37th Annual Show

SNR 37 [RE]ACTION. Source: Amanda Dibre '23

Lingerie, quilted coats, denim patchwork and evening wear dawned the catwalk at the Silver Needle Runway’s (SNR) 37th annual show. The culmination of four years worth of educational guidance and hard work finally came into fruition on May 5 as 35 of Marist College’s senior designers watched the audience gawk at their collections. 

Wearing the designs of last year’s recipient Ava Grand ‘22, Dr. Jacqueline Reich, Dean of Communications and the Arts, presented SNR’s Designer of the Year Award to Aleena Brown ‘23. Her collection, inspired by the changeability of legos, entitled “Building Blocks” received perfect scores from all judges on her capping project with mentions of perfect lines and a completely sustainable collection. 

While Brown took home the trophy, all of the designers left the audience enamored by their collections as words like “loved” and “amazing” were heard throughout the crowd after the show.

“I had chills,” said audience member Kelly Trotta ‘23. “They were each captivating in their own way.”

Industry professionals like designer Francesca Liberatore and DKNY Senior Planning Manager Michael Toto eagerly took their front row seats, but the real excitement came from friends, family and faculty as they roared at the sight of their loved ones’ designs walking the stage.

Designer Christopher Lagasse ‘23 said he’s most proud of his journey. “It's been a hard journey because, at first, during the start of the semester, I was unsure of where I wanted to go with it. But, it’s morphed into an overconsumption project so hopefully it’ll just persist with consumers and corporations to kind of keep moving the needle towards more conscious consumption,” said Lagasse. 

Sophie Wong ‘23 collaborated with non-profit Unshattered for her senior collection. “They make beautiful purses and I love their mission and I love what they stand for and I really wanted to support them even after my college years, and as well as during my senior year and with my senior collection,” said Wong. 

Having interned with them the year prior, Wong felt a strong connection to the organization that seeks to end addiction relapse by allowing women artisans to handcraft sustainable handbags while in recovery. 

Each designer had a unique vision and yet the show presented a seamless blend of over 100 looks with individual collections ranging from one to six looks. This year’s inclusivity was applauded as models of varying shapes, sizes, height, color and abilities took the runway.

SNR Faculty Advisor Juan-Manuel Olivera-Silvera and Operations Director Olivia Celeste '23. Source: Amanda Dibre '23

SNR allows for a glimpse into the fashion program and all that the students learn throughout their years at Marist. As the school continues to mold the designers of the future, the fashion show production class will undoubtedly keep pace.

The fashion show production team, with the guidance of faculty advisor Juan-Manuel Olivera-Silvera, completely reimagined McCann Center. Transforming the recreational wing into a launch party for Measure Magazine, MPorium pop-up and champagne filled pre-party, guests were able to mingle and enjoy themselves before taking their seats. Just outside these doors was a display in the turf room of this year’s designers’ junior year garments and televisions playing SNR promotional videos and their documentary series. 

As the SNR production closed out the semester, the end marks a new beginning for senior fashion students as many plan to enter the fashion world post graduation for companies like Macy’s, Ralph Lauren and Li & Fung.