Mission

The RUNWAY fashion show embodies our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus culture. It provides a safe and empowering platform for our students to express their unique talents and creative visions. More than just a fashion event, RUNWAY is an invaluable applied learning experience that equips our students with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in the fashion industry.

Beyond the runway, this remarkable show encourages our students to actively engage with their communities, promoting social responsibility both on campus and throughout Buffalo. RUNWAY is a shining example of cross-campus collaboration, uniting the Fashion and Textile Technology Department with the Art & Design Department and the Africana Studies Program at Buffalo State. It also serves as a powerful vehicle for raising awareness about pressing issues such as race, social equity, ethics, and environmental sustainability, all of which play pivotal roles in our ever-evolving global economy.

About

RUNWAY is a yearly fashion show organized by the Fashion and Textile Technology Department. It happens each spring, and our FTT students are in charge of putting together a top-notch fashion show. This event showcases the skills and talent of our students who are studying Apparel Design and Merchandising, as well as the contributions of our faculty and alumni. RUNWAY is a fantastic opportunity for Buffalo State students to express their creativity, demonstrate their abilities, learn how to manage a large-scale fashion event, and gain valuable real-world experience.

Students lead the production of RUNWAY with support from the Fashion Department faculty. It's a collaborative effort across the campus, involving the Fashion and Textile Technology Department, Art & Design, Africana Studies, Theater, and Communication. Our students work with local boutiques, models, and freelance hair and makeup stylists to create runway looks.

Here's a breakdown of how the selection process works:

Submission Deadline: Designers at all levels submit final garments to our Critique and Evaluation event the first or second Friday of April. RUNWAY judges consist of industry experts who assess each piece. Only the best garments get selected to be featured on the runway. Judges come from our alumni network and industry partners to provide valuable feedback for our students' growth and future success. They also pick outstanding designers for awards such as Senior Designer Awards, Student Collection Award, and Rising Star Award.
On the RUNWAY: The second round of judging happens during the actual runway show. RUNWAY judges select their favorite designer for the Best in Show award. After the show, all winners are announced and celebrated on stage.

Awards:

(2) Production All-Star Awards - $250

History

Buffalo State University's Fashion and Textile Technology department has undergone significant growth, propelled by its steadfast commitment to fundraising, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Central to this commitment is the annual RUNWAY fashion show, which has evolved into a cornerstone of scholarship support, social justice advocacy, and educational innovation.

The inception of RUNWAY is credited to Erin Habes '03, an FTT alumna who returned as an adjunct faculty member in 2007. Erin's determination to infuse her fashion industry experience into her teaching and elevate the program's profile within Buffalo led to an ambitious undertaking. Her vision for RUNWAY exceeded conventional campus productions, choosing the prestigious AKG Art Gallery as the inaugural venue. The success of this event marked the beginning of Erin's role as the faculty director of RUNWAY.

Professor Elaine Polvinen played a vital role in this journey, recognizing the financial struggles students faced not only in accessing higher education but also in obtaining essential textbooks and supplies. In 1998, she introduced the senior fashion show—designed to showcase student work, garner positive attention, and raise funds for student scholarships. As a proud alumna of Buffalo State's Fiber Arts program and a student of the renowned Ms. Nancy Belfer, Professor Polvinen was instrumental in bridging the gap between the Fashion and Art & Design departments. She brought the fiber arts program into the show, championing interdisciplinary collaboration and elevating textile-based work within the fashion presentation. Her dedication to student success and innovation culminated in the establishment of the Elaine Polvinen Scholarship, which continues to provide critical financial support to emerging designers.

Dr. Lynn Boorady, chair of the Fashion and Textile Technology department from 2010 to 2017, continued Professor Polvinen's scholarship-building mission, solidifying her legacy.

The RUNWAY fashion show has been instrumental in championing scholarships. The Eastman Foundation Scholarship, established in 2010, gained strong support from Marla Coniglio, former Executive VP of Sales at Eastman Machine Company, fully endowing it in 2015. These efforts, driven by the RUNWAY fashion show, have profoundly impacted students and the department's pursuit of excellence.

In 2014, former Buffalo State Events Management Director, Thomas Coates, and his husband, Dr. Brad Mazon, attended the show and were deeply impressed. Their generous contributions of $12,500 to the FTT department led to the establishment of the RUNWAY Forever! Fund. They continue to support the program's success, exemplifying community investment. The RUNWAY team has expanded its fashion styling closet in their honor.

In 2017, Dr. Keunyoung Oh became the department chair, leading RUNWAY's transformation into an anti-racist department, harnessing the annual fashion show to address systemic racism in the fashion industry. Buffalo State's Fashion and Textile Technology Department is unwavering in its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the world of fashion.

RUNWAY's storied history reflects a dynamic journey of growth and transformation. Throughout the years, it has not merely been a fashion show but a platform for innovation and evolution. The transitions from one venue to another, from collaborating with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and Burchfield Penney Art Center to adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic, showcase its adaptability and resilience. These changes have allowed RUNWAY to continually reinvent itself, keeping pace with the shifting landscape of the fashion industry.

In 2024, Dr. Arlesa Shephard became Chair of Buffalo State’s Fashion and Textile Technology Department, bringing a student-centered, inclusive vision to the role. Under her leadership, the department continues to prepare students for success in the nearly $2 trillion global fashion industry through hands-on experiences, strong industry partnerships, and a deep commitment to creativity, innovation, and equity.

Today, under the leadership of Erin Habes, Dr. Arlesa Shephard, and Dr. Shantell Reid, RUNWAY has become more than just a fashion show—it is a movement dedicated to empowering students and creating impact through fashion.

This year, we are excited to announce that RUNWAY has officially joined forces with the Bengala Gala to become our new VIP Gala, combining creativity with purpose to raise money for Buffalo State student scholarships. With the support of our faculty team—including Rashaad Holley, Runway Advisor, and Dr. Mamta Saharan, Faculty Lead for Fashion Illustration, Flats & Textile Design—we are united in our mission to provide educational opportunities, champion social justice, and make higher education accessible to all. RUNWAY’s influence extends far beyond the boundaries of Buffalo State University, serving as a model for how fashion can be a force for positive change: inspiring equity, celebrating diversity, and fostering an environment where creativity thrives and every voice is heard.