Marielle “Mars” Bardon

My name is Marielle “Mars” Bardon, and I am a Fashion Designer, Musician, and Artist based in Austin TX. Ever since I was little, I felt like most of the clothes available to me didn’t fit my personal style. So, at 8 years old, I asked my mom to teach me how to sew so I could make clothing that felt like me. Another important lesson I learned from my mom was how to be thrifty when it came to sewing. I have strived to use as many thrifted and reclaimed materials as possible in all of my creations to both keep down on cost and be more environmentally sustainable.

Collection: Vie Nocturne

My collection: Vie Nocturne, or “Night Life”, was inspired by my study abroad trip to Paris, and the many lasting memories I made there. Something that Parisian style is famous for is elevated basics. So, I wanted to create a line of streetwear that was easy to wear for a lot of occasions, but also intriguing in silhouette and pattern. As a musician, musical artists were also a big inspiration to me when creating this collection, particularly David Bowie and The Beatles. With all of these influences the end product was a collection that is Mod, playful, and eye-catching.

Elena Brandyberry

Hi, my name is Elena Brandyberry. I was born in the Far East of Russia, near the Chinese border, and have been shaped by the rich influence of Asian culture. My journey took me briefly to Germany, and now I call the U.S. home. I love exploring different cultures, and I’ve noticed one thing is universal: women everywhere want clothing that’s comfortable, interesting, beautiful, and unique.

My passion for fashion started in childhood — fueled by my first sewing machine, countless sketches, and stacks of Burda magazines. Now, as I graduate from ACC, that childhood dream has become reality.

Collection: Night Bloom

My collection celebrates successful women who embrace life — whether it’s a night out, an art exhibition, or a meeting with friends. I use vibrant green, silky charcoal fabric, delicate organza, and silver accents — a reminder that sometimes we all need a bold splash of color against the dark night, shining like silver stars.

Peyton Calhoun

I’m a 20-year-old fashion designer who fell in love with the craft back in high school. I started by deconstructing my clothes and repurposing them into something new. Over time, I began visiting thrift stores and flea markets, searching for materials to transform into fashion pieces. Working for a small business since I was 14 inspired me to pursue my own entrepreneurial dream, creating handmade and repurposed clothing, home décor, and more. I’m passionate about creating sustainable fashion that helps reduce waste, believing that most things aren’t truly trash – they can be reimagined into something special for someone else. My time at ACC has been a transformative learning experience, and I’m thrilled to be producing my very first 5-look collection!

Collection: Harmony Hues

For my debut collection, I knew I wanted to draw inspiration from the music of Fleetwood Mac – the way their rhythms stir something deep inside, making you feel like dancing your heart out. The collection embraces a boho-western style, with touches of gold. My textiles incorporate sound wave patterns, inspired by the vibrations we feel when listening to music – bright and full of joy. I mixed vibrant pops of color with earthy fall tones to capture that vintage festival vibe. These five looks are all about comfort and freedom, perfect for dancing the night away at concerts and festivals.

Carolina Cornejo

My name is Carolina Cornejo. I will be graduating with an AAS in Fashion Design in Spring 2025. I came to ACC straight out of high school with no knowledge of how to sew. I have been wanting to make clothing, for a few years now, that makes women feel beautiful, but I never had the chance. So when I heard about ACC having a fashion program I jumped on the opportunity, and I absolutely love it. I was nervous and scared of not knowing anything, but my professors taught me and guided me all the way through.

Collection: Del Mar

My collection is called “Del Mar” which is Spanish for ‘from the sea’. I was originally inspired by mermaids and jellyfish, but later was inspired by sea life and water in general. I wanted to make magical and ethereal pieces. I wanted to incorporate a lot of fluidity and movement while also having structure.

Amanda D’Alessio

Hi! My name is Amanda D’Alessio. I am a fashion designer, textile artist, and vintage enthusiast. I take a large portion of my inspiration from heritage styles and workwear. When designing, I focus on creating unique silhouettes that are dual natured while staying rooted in functionality. My specialty is jeans and custom denim apparel and accessories using upcycled scrap fabric.

Collection: Virtuous Duplicity

My collection Virtuous Duplicity was inspired by my love for denim and the evolution of workwear throughout history. Reinventing timeless and functional silhouettes by incorporating elements that give the wearer the choice of how to transform the garment with each wear.

L.J. Jordan

L.J.’s love for fashion began at the age of 10, sparked by endless hours watching a 24-hour Parisian fashion channel and sketching designs. Inspired by the bold designs of Jean Paul Gaultier, L.J. embarked on a journey to redefine fashion through storytelling and emotion. Alma de la Noche is a tribute to family, heritage, and the joy of self-expression.

Collection: Alma de la Noche

L.J., the creative force behind Estudio Luna Negra, presents Alma de la Noche, a collection inspired by their beloved abuela, Vina. Full of gumption and a zest for life, Vina remains a guiding light in L.J.’s creative journey. This collection imagines the carefree spirit of a young Vina, with garments that celebrate comfort, freedom, and individuality.

Sam Kotulak

As a queer trans man, I am inspired by the lgbtq+ community’s embracement and love of self expression. Having a community where one can feel like they belong and are understood is comforting in a world that ostracizes those who are different. Fashion as a tool of self-expression is an art form.

Collection: Palace Circus

My collection, Palace Circus, embraces the weird, the theatrical, and the extravagant. I strive to create clothes that others can utilize to experience their most authentic expression of self.

Ruth Lopez

I’m a 26-year-old from Austin, TX. From a young age, I was captivated by fashion, inspired by the glamour of the big screen and legendary designers. Having the privilege to grow up between two beautiful countries gave me a deep appreciation for both cultures. Pursuing fashion once felt like a distant dream, but now that I have this opportunity, I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m committed to honoring my upbringing and carrying the essence of my heritage wherever life takes me.

Collection: Idyllic

Whether it’s a haute couture gown or a traditional dress worn by my Abuelita in our pueblo, I find beauty in both worlds. My love for culture and nature inspired Idyllic, my first collection, which means peaceful, beautiful, and perfect—often evoking simplicity and charm, feelings I deeply associate when I am in nature and with family. Deeply connected to my roots, this collection holds a special place in my heart. Also drawn from the vaquero and western mariachi culture my dad and grandpa love, along with the delicate lace textiles that resemble my grandma’s tablecloths. Idyllic honors my heritage while offering designs that can be appreciated and worn by anyone, embracing diversity and the beauty of all backgrounds.

Alyssa Marquez

My name is Alyssa Marquez, and I am a local fashion designer from Austin, Texas. I’ve been sewing for over five years, with my first project being my homecoming dress during my sophomore year of high school. Since then, fashion has become a huge part of who I am, and I’m able to share a part of myself through the garments I create.

Collection: Eternal Bloom

My collection, Eternal Bloom, is based on the colors and silhouettes of flowers. I also incorporated lily pads, coy fish, and water droplets throughout. I love theatrical runways, and I want my collection to feel like you’re looking at a pond with wildflowers surrounding it. Every flower is unique in its own way, but when combined, the florals make something truly beautiful and unified.

This collection is dedicated to my mother, Joy Marquez, who is my biggest supporter and has loved flowers since my childhood.

Chloe-Jade

My name is Chloe-Jade. I draw inspiration from the raw beauty of the streets—the abandoned spaces where graffiti thrives, rust spreads, and skyscrapers crumble into something new. There’s power in transformation, a rebellion, a fight for survival. That energy fuels my designs. I built this brand for the loud ones—the ones who refuse to be silenced, who challenge injustice, and rise, no matter the odds. In a world that demands conformity, this is a call to break the mold and create art from chaos.

Collection: Hue and Cry

Hue and Cry was once a tool of control, a weapon of the system—but I’m flipping it. Now, it’s a rallying cry to disrupt, to challenge, and to push back against those forces that try to keep us in line. This brand is for those who don’t ask for permission, who won’t stay quiet about injustice, and who carve out their own space, creating something impossible to ignore. The world expects obedience. I expect resistance.

Anastasia Shimansky

My name is Anastasia Shimansky, and my homeland is Russia, the Republic of Chuvashia. I was born and received my professional education in the central part of Russia, along the banks of the Volga River.

I have always been fascinated by designers and their creative process. Observing their work inspired me, and over time, I realized that I wanted to step into this profession myself. Since childhood, I have been passionate about fashion—flipping through magazines, selecting fabrics for my outfits, and commissioning custom-made clothing and accessories. Now, I am finally bringing my dream of becoming a fashion designer to life.

Collection: Power Woman

My Power Woman Collection is created for strong, ambitious women who successfully balance family, career, self-development, and personal well-being while remaining energetic and elegant. The collection is deeply inspired by the ethnic culture of my people, the Chuvash.

Anacani Reyes Tollinger

My name is Anacani Reyes Tollinger, a fashion designer from Selma, Texas. I hold a bachelor’s from UIW in fashion management and a Masters in merchandising and consumer studies from TXST. Fashion designing has been a lifelong passion of mine. My journey at ACC began as a continuing education student to enhance and build my design knowledge. I plan on using all that I have learned here to finally pursue a creative career in designing.

Collection: a touch of….

a touch of…. Is my collection featuring evening wear designs that have a touch of elegance, sophistication and a romantic feel. Each design represents my love for textiles, small embellishment details and a lifestyle of elegance.