Celebrating the Talents of Fashion Designers: UIW Hosts 2025 Red Dress Fashion Show
On Saturday, Feb. 15, UIW hosted the annual Red Dress Fashion Show. Since 2006, garments designed by Fashion students have been showcased at this vibrant event. In addition to UIW and San Antonio community members getting to witness the talents of the University’s students, they also got the opportunity to learn about women’s heart health.
In recent years, the show has welcomed high school designers to participate alongside UIW’s designers. Each student was given the opportunity to compete for scholarship funds to support their Fashion Management education. UIW students competed for $6,000 in scholarship funds, while high school students competed for $3,000 in scholarship funds that will be awarded should they decide to attend UIW’s Fashion Management program.
Before this year’s designs were unveiled, the audience had the opportunity to hear from guest speaker Martin Gomez. Gomez spoke about his career where he gained an extensive knowledge of apparel, accessories, design, product development, merchandising and more. Hundreds of aspiring fashion designers and fashion managers listened attentively to Gomez’s experiences and advice, considering how they too will one day contribute to the industry in their unique ways.
The Ballroom erupted into an array of reds and pinks as students modeled the 2025 designs. The models took to the runway offering attendees the chance to observe the level of design, precision and creativity that was woven into every stitch.
With so many incredibly talented students, the decision was hard, but the following designers were recognized as the 2025 Red Dress winners:
- 1st Place – UIW ($3,000): Jennifer Wood
- 2nd Place – UIW ($2,000): Kieann Hernandez
- 3rd Place – UIW ($1,000): Amethyst Rain Ochoa
- 1st Place – Harlan High School ($1,500): Mia Ritualo McConnell
- 2nd Place – Westwood High School ($1,000): Olivia Rose Teets
- 3rd Place – Richard King High School ($500): Bree Clater
Each winner was met with thunderous applause and cheers by their peers, mentors, loved ones and community.
“I've never had an opportunity to showcase my work in this way and I'm very grateful to have been a part of it,” shared Wood. “The best part of the show, besides winning first place, was having my husband and my daughters there. It will always be a very special moment for me.”
“I had a wonderful experience participating in the event,” said Hernandez. “I feel like it is the type of event everyone striving to be a fashion designer wants to experience at some point even if it is on a smaller scale. I am grateful for the opportunity and to have placed at all as it has given me more confidence in myself. I can't wait to compete again next year!”
In addition to the event helping to support local students, the event also supported local animals in need as it gathered a number of pet toy and treat donations from attendees for Daisy Cares.
Congratulations to this year’s winner and to all participating designers for contributing to a beautiful 2025 Red Dress Fashion Show.