Fall Fashion Showcase Brings Theatrical Flair to Brookdale with Swan Lake and The Phantom of the Opera

Larrison Hall was transformed into The Ivory Theater as Brookdale’s Fashion Design and Merchandising program debuted its first-ever Fall Fashion Showcase, inspired by the iconic productions Swan Lake and The Phantom of the Opera. The immersive event drew more than 150 guests and featured the work of 21 student designers, marking a major milestone for the program.

The showcase highlighted original designs, portfolios, and visual displays in a fully reimagined space. Guests were welcomed with a professionally designed program that included display descriptions, designer bios, models, and student coordinators. Catering from Nonna’s and Jersey Mike’s, along with baked goods prepared by Brookdale Culinary Arts students and fashion students, ensured attendees were treated to a warm and festive welcome. Guests also enjoyed a photo opportunity with theatrical masks created by students, adding to the event’s operatic atmosphere.

The planning and execution of the showcase was a semester-long effort led by students in the FASH 212 Visual Merchandising and FASH 224 Fashion Case Studies courses, with support from the Fashion Club. The upstairs café and classrooms were completely transformed for the event, while the sewing room became a behind-the-scenes hub for hair, makeup, and wardrobe.

Throughout the space, guests explored visual display cases created by visual merchandising students, watched a behind-the-scenes video documenting the planning and build-out of the event, and viewed student design portfolios showcasing both hand sketching and computer-aided design skills. Students from the Historic Costume class created custom fashion magazines for the evening and designed a window display inspired by the historical aesthetics of The Phantom of the Opera and Swan Lake. A Sustainability course contributed to a dedicated display highlighting sustainable fashion brands and their environmental initiatives.

The centerpiece of the showcase was the showroom, where live models presented original looks created by the student designers. Half of the garments were constructed by students in FASH 131; the program’s introductory sewing course, many of whom had begun sewing for the first time this semester, making their completed garments an impressive achievement.

Attention to detail extended through the final moments of the evening. As guests departed, they received wax-sealed envelopes containing thank-you notes written “by the Phantom,” along with student business cards and show tickets, reinforcing the theatrical theme.

The event was made possible with the support of Brookdale’s Facilities team, which assisted with staging, special lighting, and pipe and drape to bring the vision to life.

“This was the first showcase event that we have attempted, and it was an overwhelming success,” said Sheridan O’Hea, instructor of Fashion Design and Merchandising. “There were lines down the hallway to get into the showroom to see the students’ work. We will definitely be doing this again next year.”

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Designer Look Highlights

Adriana Sousa
Inspired by Christine’s costumes in The Phantom of the Opera, Adriana designed a romantic lace dress with a polyester knit lining, paired with a black satin corset. The look balances softness and structure, echoing the emotional drama of the production.

Kailyn Mitchell
Drawing inspiration from The Phantom of the Opera, this look reflects a dark, grunge aesthetic. A black lace corset anchors the design, creating a dramatic silhouette, while the coordinating skirt and sleeves add movement and mystery. Layered textures and deep black tones evoke a gothic, theatrical mood.

Keith Westpy
Keith’s look blends business wear with grunge influences. The tailored shirt features wavy embroidery across the front and back, finished with a distressed, unfinished hem. The jeans are upcycled and patched, inspired by Japanese sashiko techniques and rave DIY culture, accented with grunge-style “X” embroidery.

Rebecca Ramirez – The Phantom of the Opera
This burgundy mermaid-style gown features a structured corset with dark floral textures that heighten the drama of the design. A translucent burgundy cape cascades from the shoulders, adding movement and theatrical flair that evokes the spirit of the Phantom.

Rebecca Ramirez – Swan Lake
An ivory-toned short dress with a voluminous, lightweight skirt inspired by the elegance of a swan. Feathered textures and a structured collar mimic plumage, creating a look that feels soft, ethereal, and delicately balanced.

Chris Sano
Inspired by Swan Lake, Chris designed a full-length skirt layered with black chiffon and lace trim to emulate the feathers and fluid movement of the black swan, capturing motion and drama through texture.

Maddie McCarty
Maddie’s Swan Lake–inspired top is crafted from batiste and features a deep neckline, open back, gathered bodice, and tie straps. The design emphasizes lightness and ease of movement, reflecting the grace of ballet.

Elle LeBlanc
Inspired by the white swan in Swan Lake, this pink and white look symbolizes innocence and romance. Softened silhouettes replace sharper details to create a gentle, ballet-inspired aesthetic that reflects purity and femininity.

Sallwa Vaffai
This gown draws inspiration from The Phantom of the Opera and uses elegant, timeless fabrics. A soft nude base highlights black French lace draping, creating a dreamy, dramatic contrast that embodies the Phantom’s mystique.

Angela Almadi
Inspired by the white swan from Swan Lake and childhood memories of Barbie: Swan Lake, this ivory satin dress incorporates blue and pink jewels for a magical, ethereal effect. Pearls add femininity and elegance, resulting in a look Angela describes as “enchanting.”

Nidhi Mavani – The Phantom of the Opera
Inspired by Christine Daaé’s iconic lingerie look from the 2004 film adaptation, Nidhi reimagined the Victorian costume through a modern lens. The asymmetrical poly-satin dress features lace detailing and chiffon godets, preserving the original’s intimacy while making it wearable for contemporary occasions.

Nidhi Mavani – Swan Lake
After researching traditional Swan Lake stage costumes, Nidhi designed a gown with a drop-waist corset adorned with handmade organza feathers. The flowing tulle skirt evokes the movement of a ballerina, as if stepping directly off the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre.

Alberto Amador
A pinstripe vest paired with wide-leg pinstripe suit pants, designed to mirror the clean, elegant lines of a swan while maintaining a tailored, classic aesthetic.

KailyAnn Margulies
Inspired by Christine Daaé’s iconic sleep gown from The Phantom of the Opera, this look features an extra-long asymmetrical flounce creating dramatic trumpet sleeves. Made from white dotted Swiss fabric, the design embraces both lace-like delicacy and the challenges of beginner construction.

Brenna Walsh
This piece draws from 14th- and 15th-century medieval fashion. Ivory satin and chiffon form a modest empire waist silhouette, with chiffon godets adding fluidity. Beadwork and satin roses reference late Middle Ages embellishment techniques.

Raquel Reyes Aguilar
Inspired by Swan Lake and swans themselves, this look features a bodice and skirt shaped to echo ballet costumes. The fabric mimics the sheen of wet feathers, while black velvet trim references a swan’s crest. Asymmetry and beadwork add movement and sparkle.

Hannah Post
Influenced by fairytale and woodland motifs, this design features a lace bustier corset and flowing A-line satin skirt. The deep green tone reflects enchanted forest imagery, with floral embellishments and off-the-shoulder ties enhancing the romantic silhouette.

Sayla Fischer
Blending Swan Lake with classic Lolita fashion, this dress symbolizes dreams, love, grace, and purity. Rich satin, lace trims, beaded swans, handmade corsages, and a petticoat complete the fairytale aesthetic.

Danielle Turner
This look represents a rebellion against conformity. Bold and elegant, the design embodies the power and confidence of the black swan.

Tahalia-Li Mitchell
A layered look featuring a feathered veil accented with roses, lace, and ribbon, paired with a lace two-piece top and layered skirt embellished with embroidery.

Anastasia Kanopka
Working with her Sustainability and Global Sourcing class, Anastasia designed a zero-waste look inspired by the contrast between the white and black swans in Swan Lake. Using fabrics from past collections and upcycled scraps, the piece promotes sustainability and conscious fashion design.

Kamilah Dockery
A first-year Fashion Design student at Brookdale, Kamilah presented a collaborative look that reflects her enthusiasm for learning and creative exploration. Excited to showcase her work to a live audience for the first time, her design represents the foundation of her growing skill set and passion for fashion. She hopes to expand her creative pursuits into film and television and plans to continue her education at Montclair State University.