The fashions seen on The Cutting Edge runway are the culmination of a year long process undertaken by senior fashion design students. The students take Senior Collection 1 and 2 as a practicum to give them the opportunity to design and create with real-world time-lines, budgets and critiques.
During the fall semester, students begin with the sketch of their garments. 
Students develop a collection of 12 illustrations, which are then placed on line sheets to present to fashion management faculty and industry professionals. They must identify the target market for their collection, price points, and identify the category of wear for the garments. The top 8 illustrations are selected for each student’s collection. The students then create patterns and sample garments for each of their creations to check the pattern and fit. From this point forward, the students work under very tight deadlines. They must create one sample look every week. Each sample is graded and the student learns what it will take to perfect the final garment.
In the spring semester, the final garments are produced on the same weekly deadline. Any garment not meeting the weekly deadline is removed from consideration for the fashion show. By spring break final looks are finished and the judging process begins. Garments that are complete, turned in by their deadline, and received a “C” grade or better are sent ahead for judging by local industry professionals.
There are two panels of judges; one panel for garment construction and the other panel judges design. Each judge scores each garment and the result of the two panels determines which garments will be included in The Cutting Edge Fashion Show. The garments and collections with the highest scores, as determined by the judges, win the prizes for the show.
The year long experience is very stressful and exciting for the students. They have the opportunity to express their creativity and craft and produce truly unique looks for their collection. The students learn the creative process with deadlines and must create wearable garments with quality construction.