Detroit College For Creative Studies Holds Student Fifth Annual Runway

The College For Creative Studies Fashion Design Program is recognized as the largest and most equipped fashion accessory design department in the United States. Established precisely a decade ago under the leadership of renowned footwear designer and Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design, Aki Choklat, the accredited university recently showcased the latest generation of designers out of the Motor City.

Previously hosting luxury brands Bottega Veneta and Gucci for runway experiences unique to the city of Detroit, Michigan, The “Icons” Show by CCS is the statement and follow-up to the reinvigoration of American-made craft, and luxury aesthetics, a homage to the cultural movements and legacy of Detroit.

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) celebrated the fifth edition of its runway, The Show, on April 26, at the General Motors Design Dome. The Show featured over 100 looks from 26 students enrolled in CCS’s Fashion Design Program, including seniors, juniors, sophomores, and a selection of freshmen. This year’s runway presentation marked 10 years since the department’s inception in 2015 and the new direction of the program in its expansion.

Designed in 1956 as part of Eero Saarinen’s mid-century modern campus, the GM Design Dome revolutionized the automotive industry by presenting cars as art installations. Today, it stands as a historic landmark representing architectural and automotive innovation, and the backdrop for The “Icons” Show, placing emerging designers in front of a global audience.

The Show 2025 featured collections from Bridget Weiss, Morgan Novetsky, Jackie Kramer, Nicholas Alberto Madruga, Justin Hilberer, Emma Wilson, and Meka Johnson, the senior class of presenters. Robert Robinson was the featured freshman, while sophomores and juniors included, Santino Giglio, Luka Galle-Callahan, Sophia Jensen, Avery Mangum, Sarah Nofar, Bryce Truby, Aidan Richards, Bryn Hazen, Athan Hillman, Imani Stowers, Quade Feller, Kaiden McArthur, Maxwell Honeycutt, Veronica Wardowski, Isabella Abohasira, Marwa Bissada, Falina Jimerson, and Griffin Mesner.

The event welcomed over 400 guests from fashion’s echelon of brands, including, Martine Rose, Louis Vuitton, and Carhartt, as well as artists like beloved Detroit natives, Tiff Massey, and eyewear designer Ali Evans of GODNII.

Themes from seniors showcasing collections The “Icons” Show varied and saw a vast display of inspiration. Justin Hilberer’s collection Preservation examined evolution and animal adaptability with a brutalist-inspired approach, while Meka Johnson and her collection Ambrose displayed the seven deadly sins in couture bridal wear. Senior Jackie Kramer and her Courage is a Virtue collection presenting the theme of sacred geometry in academia, balancing leather and wood to represent the “golden mean.”

Bridget Weiss’ collection Seal the River at its Mouth, Take the Water Prisoner, explored technology’s domination over nature, blending aquatic and automotive influences through wood, leather, and 3D-printed aluminum. Emma Wilson’s Gaia Carnis critiques the exploitation of women and nature, using leather, lambskin, fur, and worms that contort traditional perceptions of beauty.

Seniors Nicholas Madruga and Morgan Novetsky displayed illustrious interpretations of ready-to-wear on the runway. BIONICK by Madruga is a homage to his childhood and nature, highlighting modern streetwear silhouettes into distinct manifestations of high-end functionality made from upcycled materials, paired with custom 3D-printed shoes.

“I’m always surprised when I see the final presentations from students,” Choklat admitted, referring to Nicholas Madruga’s work. “He was sneaky! He didn’t show us some finished pieces during jury reviews. Those neon green 3D-printed shoes were amazing. The styling was incredible.” He emphasized the runway’s transformative power stating, “It’s always interesting to see how things work in a show versus in the studio.”

Novetsky’s EMET-met collection took a humbled approach from the student’s vernacular, peering into the anxieties of building a legacy through fashion. Her accessories collection reveals the raw process of shoemaking. Raw-edged stitching, flailing hides, and materials revealed underneath symbolize the uncertainty of a career in fashion post-graduation.

What allows this program to shine is its faculty members who foster each of the dozens of students within the Fashion Design Program. CCS enlisted Antwerp designer Rey Padoras as associate professor, leading the Apparel Design department, and the contributions of career veterans into the next generation.

Choklat explained, “You can’t do one part of fashion without the others. We added apparel, then realized we needed the business side, too. Now, we have all three pillars.” The department has expanded from Accessories design, to include Apparel Design, making it a robust program competitive in today’s job market.

Students also benefit from industry connections through the Fashion Design Advisory Council, featuring representatives from Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Tapestry, Hermès, Caleres, Carhartt, and the CFDA. These partnerships provide students with sponsored projects and biannual jury evaluations, preparing them for the job market. CCS has recently announced plans for a Fashion Business Management Program, set for 2026 accreditation.

“We started with maybe four or five models years ago, and now it’s a major production,” Choklat noted, stressing the need to compete with top U.S. fashion schools. “My dream is for CCS to have the same respect as everyone else—and I think we’re reaching that.”

SEEN Magazine, the hyper-local lifestyle publication celebrating metro Detroit’s culture, featured the story of CCS and its student body. CCS is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Located in midtown Detroit, Michigan, CCS prepares students for careers in art and design, fostering creativity, ethics, and leadership.

“Our department is full of love. We want to share that with the world.” Choklat’s pride in CCS’s growth as a niche program to a creative hub in the industry, pedestalizing Detroit’s creative resurgence. As an institution fostering the next generation of artists and designers through its experiential learning model, CCS aims to contribute to Detroit’s creative economy with its annual runway presentation.