Marist Fashion Presents SNR 39: P3RS9ECTIVE

Models during the Silver Needle Runway. Photo by Ava Battinelli '26.

A creative outlet, a reflection on a taxing semester and an impressive showcase of talent, Marist University’s Silver Needle Runway (SNR), for many students, is the biggest night of their college career. 

On May 9, SNR debuted the product of hours upon hours of work and dedication from over a hundred students. The theme, P3RS9ECTIVE, was conveyed through a projected kaleidoscope on the stage before the runway, showcasing models in a unique, top-lit light, constantly in motion. 

“Watching my creative vision come to life in real time was truly surreal,” said Student Creative Director Emma Winkler ‘25. “Seeing all the elements come together to reflect each collection's unique story and inspiration was a proud moment.”

Winkler, along with the rest of the Creative Team, produced 27 custom animations that were projected onto the circular, rotating stage, with accompanying color-shifting lights along the runway. 

Though everything worked out in the end, Winkler recalled a challenge the Creative Team faced when coordinating model pacing with the speed of the rotating stage to ensure a seamless flow. Between countless rehearsals, the team found a solution.

“These elements worked in harmony to create an evolving and dynamic runway experience,” she noted. 

Prior to the models, Student Production Wardrobe Director Mabel Aronson ‘25 and Chair of Fashion Design Jennifer Finn took to the stage to highlight the theme of the show and the hard work that is contributed.

“Perspective highlights that there is no single way to view the world,” said Finn. “Only this perspective and curiosity we choose to embrace, which opens us up to new ideas and endless possibilities. Congratulations to the Fashion Show production student directors and their team for an outstanding semester.”

As models walked down the runway, the 1,800 attendees got to view the designers’ hard work in action. Each collection possessed a unique tone, often stemming from a purposeful theme. 

A model walking down the runway during the show. Photo by Ava Battinelli '26.

As mentioned in Finn’s opening remarks, “This year's senior designers drew their inspiration from such areas as identity, cherished memories, honoring a sibling, turning grief into joy, celebrating family and global cultural heritage, nature, mental health and wellbeing, women's reproductive rights and sensory-friendly practices. Woven throughout these collections are the concepts of sustainability and the latest in fashion animations in technology.”

However, as viewers watched and admired the show, what they couldn’t see was the tireless work done by those behind the scenes: the crew that diligently worked to assemble, plan and coordinate the show. 

“This show is really about the SNR team as well as JM, who teaches the S&M SNR Experiential courses,” said fashion designer and professor DooRi Chung. “They do an amazing job, and it's great to see it come together.”

The SNR team consists of students from Juan-Manuel Olivera-Silvera’s class, who begin planning a full year in advance. Once enrolled in the class, their semester consists of substantial responsibility and long hours, ultimately coming together with the designers to create a cohesive and professional show. 

“[The show] came out better than I could have ever imagined. The directors have been working and planning for the show for a year, and it was amazing to see all of our hard work come together on the day of the show,” said Aronson. 

At the end of the show, Italian Fashion Designer Francesca Liberatore presented an award to the winner of SNR, Hanna Beth Lee ‘25.

Lee’s collection, “Tailor Made: The Romance of Old Clothes,” conveyed just that, and came to life through uniquely tailored suits, voluminous dresses and unprecedented silhouettes.

“It felt wonderful to be able to show off someone's incredibly hard work that they have poured so much time and effort into,” said three-year SNR model Tate Clough ‘26, who modeled a piece in Lee’s collection. “It's an honor in the sense that they picked you and trusted you to wear and show off their masterpieces.”

The designs are conceived, created and assembled during the capping courses for senior design students. Back in the fall, when the first class of this process began, designers put portfolios together and created a collection in the muslin form. Then, in the spring semester, the collection comes together in the SNR-ready form. 

“You get to see the beautiful part,” said Chung. “We get to experience all the mishaps and problems. There's a lot of ugly before you can get to beautiful. That's the thing about fashion, right?”

Building on the success of SNR 39, the team behind the production will begin planning for next year’s show this summer, as the Marist community awaits SNR 40.