May 20, 2025—The 39th annual Silver Needle Runway invited attendees to see fashion through a new perspective, honoring the dedication and artistry of the senior fashion design students and the fashion show production class.

The event raised a total of $45,000 for the Fashion Scholarship Fund through ticket sales and donations, selling well over 2,000 tickets to pack the house inside McCann Arena.

McCann was a kaleidoscope of color, creativity, and energy as guests explored the designers’ collections, shopped the MPorium pop-up, and flipped through the latest issue of Measure Magazine. MPorium saw an 8% sales increase over last year’s pop-up, while Measure experienced an impressive 45% increase from last year’s launch.

Jennifer Finn, Chair of the Fashion Department, recognized the efforts of all involved in the evening, including the student directors from all three experiential learning classes.

“Tonight, we celebrate the fashion department’s hallmark experiential learning opportunities that actively engage students and prepare them for a strong college to career path that puts theory into practice,” Finn said.

27 senior Fashion Design majors presented their capsule collections. Many of the collections were deeply personal to the designers—through their collections, designers honored their personal heritages, family members, and the importance of sustainability.

Fashion industry professionals sat front row at the runway after assessing the designers’ portfolios in the lead-up to the show. Esteemed guests and judges included Luke Hall, Vice President of Design at Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet, Julia Luff, Textile and Concept Designer at Free People, and Italian designer Francesca Liberatore, Creative Director of her eponymous brand.

At the end of the night, Liberatore honored Hanna Beth Lee with the Designer of the Year award. “This student has shaped their collection in the same way they’ll shape their career,” she said.

Hanna Beth earned the highest overall score for their collection, titled “Tailor Made: The Romance of Old Clothes.”

This year’s show opened with the Marist Music Department student orchestra and debuted a mesmerizing rotating stage that captivated the crowd. As one collection concluded, the next was already in motion—gracefully turning into view and creating a seamless transition onto the long runway.

Hanna Beth Lee with their collection after winning Designer of the Year. Photo by Kait Dugan ’25, courtesy of Silver Needle Runway.

Before presenting Hanna Beth with the award to end the night, Liberatore addressed the Marist students sitting in the crowd.

“I believe in the possibility that this University gives to you as students, and the effort of all your professors to drive your creativity and education to a higher standard. I believe in all of you to be the shape a great future with the great things Marist is providing you,” she said.

Meet all the designers.

View the full show here.