There's no Heidi Klum and no Tim Gunn
but local fashion design mavens, or even wanna-bes,
will nonetheless have to
"make it work."

Project Runway Repurposed is a competition-based fashion show, where those with a passion for fashion and a knack for design are challenged to compete with each other to create their best garment by repurposing used clothing, with set limits on time, materials and theme. Their designs will be judged and the winning designer will win a cash reward. Designers must provide a model to wear the garment, which will be auctioned off during the event.

The event will culminate in a public fashion show on Friday, October 14th (during San Antonio's Fashion Week) at the Aveda Institute San Antonio; admission to the show is $9.99 per person.

Think you have what it takes? Contact Kim via email: flutiemcd [at] gmail [dot] com

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Meet the Designers

Lorren Cruz, one of our very own locals was born and raised right here in San Antonio. After growing up thinking creativity was but a passionate hobby, it wasn’t until the overwhelming results from constructing her very first handbag in high school that she even thought it to be a possible career. Then when she met the University of the Incarnate Word’s Fashion Design Department, she realized she was making the right step forward. With a passion for Fashion, an unstoppable determination and her family’s impeccable support she is now an aspiring Undergraduate in the design program. As she continues to take steps forward, she plans on gaining as much knowledge possible in fashion design and traveling the world to see the unending inspirations it has to offer.

Shatorria (Toya) Whitener a native of Baltimore Maryland is described as one who loves to laugh and live life to its fullest. After six years of service in the U.S. Army, she obtained a license in the hair industry. After experiencing complete boredom in her profession, she decided to take a big risk and pursue a degree in the Fashion industry which she knew nothing about. Despite the fact that every word spoken in the first two years of school seemed foreign to her, she persevered and is currently a junior and is well on her way to becoming America’s next top fashion designer.

My name is Jorge Lafuente, and I am Senior at the University of the Incarnate Word.  I am a Fashion Design major and I have loved fashion since I can remember.  I was born and raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and moved to San Antonio about 12 years ago.  The three things I love the most aside from my family and friends are Fashion, Music and Food.  I almost went to culinary school before pursuing a degree in Fashion.  My inspirations are Alexander McQueen, Elie Saab, and my new favorite designer, Zuhair Murad.  I am planning on moving to New York in the Summer of 2012 after I graduate and plan on going to Parsons the New School of Design to work on my MFA.

My name is Shannon E. Wingate and I am a second year fashion student at the University of the Incarnate Word.  I have always been interested in design and spend my free time making mixed media art, jewelry, and clothes. I also play several instruments and perform regularly in the local band, Deer Vibes.  I'm fascinated  with cooking vegetarian food and can be found baking bread in my kitchen if I have an open afternoon.  I love my animals, my 1979 dodge van, and riding my bike any chance I get.

Ashley Cherie Pugh is 21 years old and is a junior at the University of the Incarnate Word, pursuing a degree in Fashion Design. She graduated from Lady Bird Johnson high school in 2009. In high school, Ashley was involved with basketball and orchestra, but she always knew she had a passion for fashion.  She  has been involved in many fashion events through her school. Ashley is an officer in the Incarnate Word Fashion Society group, and also is a part of the National Honor Society. Ashley continues to look forward to a bright future in fashion.

Chasity Taylor a junior at the University of the Incarnate Word comes from the small town of Marble Falls, Texas.  Dating back to her High school career she has always tried to be involved with Fashion. She has loved each and every aspect of the fashion world and the opportunities she has experienced so far.   She is currently a President of Fashion society on campus and has earned honors. Whenever she is not busy with school she loves spending time with her family and friends, hanging out on the lake  and  attending concerts. After graduating from UIW she would like to further her studies and gain more experience in the world of Men’s Wear.  Fashion is where she wants to belong for the rest of her life, doing what she loves.

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My name is Teresa Ashmore and I am a design student at Incarnate Word. I am not the typical student. My first job is that I am a wife and a mother. My husband is  active-duty U.S.A.F. I am the mother of two boys, 17 and 6 years old. I am returning to school after starting my degree over 20 years ago.  I used to sell and alter wedding gowns for a living and decided to quit my job several years to finish my degree. Needless to say that I have expanded knowledge of sewing since I have been at UIW.

Meet the Judges

Donna Muslin

Donna Muslin is a fashion specialist and professional consultant on corporate and personal image,  fashion marketing, promotions and special event production.  Her career in the fashion industry has taken her from New York to Texas.  She has managed special events and fashion production in South Texas for a major department store chain, worked as a national trainer for five mass market cosmetic lines and served as Fashion Editor for Scene in S.A. magazine for three years. Donna has produced and presented regular fashion segments on WOAI-TV's "4 San Antonio Living" (NBC) and "Great Day S.A." (CBS) as well as fashion shows and seminars for corporations, conferences and conventions through the country.She is the founding Regional Director of Fashion Group International and serves on both the Development Board and the Fashion Advisory Board of the University of the Incarnate Word.She has recently been inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame and received the Fashion Group International's Fashion Advocate Award for her work and support in and for the fashion industry.

Mary Herff
Mary Herff has lived in San Antonio for 9 years after working as a Publicist in Hollywood and then in Global Marketing for Estee Lauder in New York.  In 2003, she moved to San Antonio. She started her women's fashion brand, HERFF CHRSITIANSEN,  in 2006  with her Danish business partner - Randi Christiansen. Starting with one design launching in Spring 2007, this upscale, fashion forward basics brand has grown to being in over 80 upscale boutiques in the US and abroad (Tokyo, Paris, Seoul), selling two 25-30 style collections a year and doubling in sales every year since its inception.

Barbara Slusher
Barbara Slusher is the owner of Sew Chic—a hidden gem in the heart of Alamo Heights focusing on expert tailoring and alterations of designer clothing and special occasion wear, as well as everyday attire such as jeans and suits.  She has been sewing for far too many years than she likes to admit since she began sewing and winning competitions for her work at John Marshall High School here in San Antonio.  After sewing for others for many years her expertise spread by worth of mouth and she eventually fulfilled a life-long dream of becoming a business owner while impacting fashion and helping others embrace a positive self image.  In five years during one of the worst economic times for starting a business Barbara's savvy and kind-heart have taken Sew Chic from its first customer as a home-based business to serving hundreds of regular clients and consistently doubling revenues each year.
She is an avid reader and has a deep appreciation for fashion design, history, art, and architecture.  She is deeply rooted in the community being a native Texan and a fifth generation descendent of Jose Antonio Navarro, who is best known as one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence and drafters of the Republic of Texas Constitution.  She is an active volunteer with the Friends of Casa Navarro and the Women's Pavilion at HemisFair Park, Inc.  She also spent nearly a decade in administration and volunteering at Providence Preparatory School , which she continues to support.  She is a proud mother of four adult children all of whom credit their "successful" upbringing to her efforts.  In her free time she enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her six grandchildren.