O’More Fashion Show Celebrates 25 Years of Community Impact

Students Blend Creativity and Service in Milestone Anniversary Event 

Belmont University's O'More College of Architecture and Design continued its tradition of showcasing transformative design at its annual fashion show on Saturday, April 26 in the Curb Event Center.   

Attended by friends, family members, industry professionals, alumni and past O’More faculty/staff alike, the show represented both the hard work of the students as well as the legacy that O’More has crafted since the very first fashion show 25 years ago.  

When thinking about that first show, my goal for the students was to empower them to take control... and really, giving them confidence,” said Leigh Ann Daugherty, who served as the fashion chair during the first show. “The fashion show puts into application all the fundamentals you learn along the way.”  

O’More graduates leave their time at Belmont with expansive knowledge and technical skills, including, but not limited to, working industrial machines, stitching, free-hand sketching, draping, fashion illustration, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, merchandising, entrepreneurship and fashion forecasting. 

“The O'More fashion program has remained committed to excellence, preparing students not only to succeed in the fast-paced, ever-evolving fashion industry, but to do so with purpose and heart,” said Jamie Atlas, chair of the fashion department. “Graduates leave with the skills to design compelling, innovative garments — and with the compassion and insight to make a lasting impact on the world around them.” 

The extensive network of nonprofit partnerships the college has developed throughout its history — such as GiGi's Playhouse, CreatiVets, Daybreak Arts, Tennessee Donor Services and Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee — underscores its faith in design's ability to uplift communities and individuals.  

Originally existing as a separate institution established in Franklin, Tennessee in 1970, O’More College of Architecture & Design merged with Belmont University in 2018 and has spent the last seven years continuing to build on their foundation of utilizing fashion to make a tangible impact on the lives of others. 

Adaptive Design for All with Saddle-Up!

This year’s show was no exception, with the program celebrating the landmark occasion by returning to their roots and partnering with Saddle-Up!, a Franklin-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth with disabilities through therapeutic, educational and recreational equestrian programs. Each junior was tasked with creating riding gear for a participant, after getting to know them and their individual needs.   

Fashion design student Trisha Metcalf was partnered with Saddle-Up! student Ephraim Lober, and the pair hit it off instantly. With their shared love of patterns and the colors pink and purple, collaboration was seamless.  

“He's so passionate about everything he does, and he has so many interests,” said Metcalf. Once Metcalf discovered Lober was an artist himself, they decided to use one of his prints for the design.  

Lober, 11, has been riding with Saddle-Up! since he was four years old.  

“Within the first couple of weeks, I realized I was getting smiles from Ephraim on the horse, just these beaming smiles. And I didn't have to work for them, I didn't have to tell him to smile. He was just overcome with joy,” said Mackenzie Lober, his mother. “His teacher came up to me and was gushing at quickly he was picking up on everything. I remember saying something like ‘Oh, that’s not how it normally goes for my kid,’ so to see him just get it naturally was really a sweet gift.” 

Metcalf’s designs were able to help address challenges about Lober’s clothing that are unique to his situation by adding zippers to the calf, allowing for more independence with his orthotics, as well as crafting a matching backpack for his medical devices. 

“The fashion show has enabled him to have custom fit riding clothes that really fit him correctly,” said Mackenzie Lober. “We’re so grateful to the Belmont folks for seeing this organization, recognizing the need and doing what they can to outfit these kids uniquely.” 

O’More students were able to visit the Saddle-Up! campus to get to know the organization and facilities, with a few students even getting to watch their partners in action during their lessons, further developing the relationship between the designer and model.  

“Adaptivity is one of the main reasons that I wanted to get into fashion,” said junior Emily Guerry, paired with Saddle-Up! participant Sarah Faulkner. “To have the opportunity to work with, talk with and design collaboratively with someone on something that fits their needs has been incredible.” 

Junior Capsules: Human-Centered Design 

This passion for designing for a niche market also played a large role in Guerry’s junior collection. Junior designers were tasked with creating a five-piece, human-centered capsule that focused on finding solutions for individuals whose needs are overlooked in the apparel industry.  

“Through my junior collection, I am focusing on what I call the ‘average woman in America’ who is both petite and plus-size and designing clothes specifically for her,” said Guerry. “We are the pioneers of the next fashion generation. If we're not starting with body inclusivity, that's not going to be reflected in the market when we get to the job industry.  I think that that is really important that we teach how to design for all body types.”  

Among the capsules were a maternity collection, a collection for nursing mothers, and an adaptive business casual line, while some designers also explored themes of childlike wonder, gender norms and self-comparison. 

Senior Collections: Culminating Visions 

The night highlighted the eagerly awaited senior collections, inspired by art history, cinema, personal stories, timeless fashion eras and the meaningful impact of design on individual lives. 

Senior Jey Maroney’s collection “I Am My Mother’s Daughter” is rooted in the experiences of the women in her family. Incorporating cross stitching and Swedish weaving techniques passed down through generations, the work serves as a heartfelt tribute to those who shaped her creativity.  

Inspired by a summer spent scanning old family photos, she set out to modernize historical styles while preserving their spirit.  

“This collection is very personal. I was even able to have my models wear jewelry that was my mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers. That just adds such a sweet touch to the overall story and experience of my collection,” said Maroney. “I also feel like I've finally found my own little niche when it comes to designing. We spend so much time creating and perfecting our collections that being able to showcase them for others is very fulfilling.”

Campus-Wide Collaborations

The show was aided by creatives across campus – including promotional branding by Watkins College of Art design communications student Sarah Smith, as well as stage design by interior design professor Finis Elliot.  

Elliot and the fashion show team decided on a figure-eight design, creating a 360-degree viewing experience for the audience and working to ensure the staging was accessible for all the models.  

"It was one of the easiest and most organic processes, because everyone's been really excited about the fashion show in general, and how we can make it distinct and unique to us,” said Elliot. 

Brought to life by fashion merchandising students through their work in the Fashion Event Management course and spearheaded by assistant professor Stephanie Reese, the event reached new levels of campus interest and ticket sales.  

These students, such as Marni Bongiovanni who oversaw the back of house and run of show, and Caroline Kelyman, who headed up the student marketing team and helped run O’More’s fashion Instagram account, have been dreaming of this day since the previous summer, meticulously planning every detail and putting hundreds of hours into making the show spectacular.  

“A huge production like this isn’t just something we do for fun – although we totally enjoy it – we do it because it’s important, and it’s real-world experience,” said Kelyman.  

Students hit the ground running and put into practice their years of experience, with leeway from their professors and a responsibility to their fellow students.  

“It's been so much hard work and it's been a labor of love,” said Bongiovanni. “I hope that everyone walks away and thinks ‘I can’t wait to go again next year.’”   

Click here for videos of past fashion shows.

VIEW ADDITIONAL IMAGES FROM THIS YEAR'S SHOW