Students Supporting Diverse Designers

Model Shana Hu walks the runway for Francis Libiran's Spring/Summer 2023 Collection during the Los Angeles Fashion Week. Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

A significant time of the year for the fashion industry in California is Los Angeles Fashion Week (LAFW). Lighthouse Los Angeles held the LAFW Spring Season 2023, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 9. This year, the SS23 LAFW shows were sponsored by the Asian Journal; being sponsored by the Asian Journal, the inclusivity of East Asian fashion designers from several different countries showcasing their never- before- seen designs for the upcoming Spring season was groundbreaking.

Starting the week with An Only Child by Maxwell Osborne, a popular streetwear designer featured in Vogue, set the tone for what was expected from the following shows. Opening day two of LAFW was Xiao Fen Couture, grasping what is expected of the Spring season with pastels and floral lace gowns. The first of the designers sponsored by the Asian Journal, coming from the Philippines, Chris Nick. One of the youngest and fastest-rising designers invited to LAFW 2022, Nick displayed his minimalistic, yet innovative, designs for SS23. Nick’s designs stray away from what is normally expected for the Spring season and makes use of blacks and whites only. 

“This collection is inspired by nineties minimalism and brunch, and you know, it takes notes for my most favorite piece of clothing, which is the tuxedo,” Nick said in regards to his showcased collection.

Model Kyra Stewart waits outside the dressing room before walking for Filipino fashion designer, Francis Libran at the Los Angeles Fashion Week Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

Hairstylist Melissa Robinson gives model Jack Sajwaj a soft wave for his look for designer Francis Libiran before he walks for Los Angeles Fashion Week. Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

Hannah Allington getting ready in hair and makeup before walking on the runway for Francis Libiran at Los Angeles Fashion Week on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, and she also walked for Chris Nick earlier the same day. The events on Friday at the Lighthouse ArtSpace in Los Angeles, Calif. featured exclusively Asian designers. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Models pose for Francis Libiran's Spring/Summer 2023 Collection fashion show during the Los Angeles Fashion Week. Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

Models close the show for designer Chris Nick at the Los Angeles Fashion Week on Oct. 7, 2022. Nick's Spring/Summer 2023 Collection is inspired by 90's minimalism and grunge. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

Former Santa Monica College student and basketball player, T-Time the Lion waits in line for designer Xiao Fen's show at Los Angeles Fashion Week. Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

Hairstylist Melissa Robinson gives model Jack Sajwaj a soft wave for his look for designer Francis Libiran before he walks for Los Angeles Fashion Week. Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

Kyra Stewart having makeup reapplied at Los Angeles Fashion Week on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. The events on Friday at the Lighthouse ArtSpace in Los Angeles, Calif. featured exclusively Asian designers. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Filipino designer Avel Bacudio's Spring/Summer 2023 collection features pearl clutches and handbags from the Philippines at the Los Angeles Fashion Week. Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

A model walking for Francis Libran at Los Angeles Fashion Week on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. The events on Friday at the Lighthouse ArtSpace in Los Angeles, Calif. featured exclusively Asian designers. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Hannah Allington walking on the runway wearing a dress designed by Francis Libiran at Los Angeles Fashion Week on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. She also walked for Chris Nick earlier the same day. The events on Friday at the Lighthouse ArtSpace in Los Angeles, Calif. featured exclusively Asian designers. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Model Shana Hu walks the runway for Francis Libiran's Spring/Summer 2023 Collection during the Los Angeles Fashion Week. Oct. 7, 2022. Los Angeles, CA. (Ee Lin Tsen | The Corsair)

Behind the scenes of these remarkable shows are hard-working freelance stylists, dressers, makeup artists, and etc. Santa Monica College students, both those who participate in the SMC Fashion Club on campus and those who are simply passionate about fashion were present in the audience and behind the scenes. SMC Fashion student Kenzie B., who did not want to disclose her full name due to the fact that she was working behind the scenes of multiple shows as a dresser, spoke on her experience and said, “This looks good on a resume, one, and two, it is where I want to be in my career. I love the fast pace of the runway.”

President of the SMC Fashion Club, Kimberly Mortensen was present in the audience Friday, day two of the shows and shared her thoughts on the collections being showcased. “Francis Libiran and Chris Nick were definitely my favorites shown so far. The platform heels and the mermaid inspiration for the beauty were really nice.”

LAFW came to a close Oct. 9, the SS23 collections were diverse in terms of colors, makeup, and aesthetics, along with the inclusivity of designers who were invited this year.