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Miami Students Herrera & Barzaga Take on New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week 2022 was especially exciting for Miami International University of Art & Design fashion students Francys Herrera and Alejandro Barzaga. The two competed against 14 student designers from across the country in the inaugural Runway 7 Fashion SohoMuse Student Design Competition. The February 10 ticketed event was held at Sony Hall in front of a live audience, in addition to being livestreamed to VIPs, influencers, the media, and fashion buyers.

In addition to showcasing their designs in front of industry insiders, Herrera and Barzaga had the honor of their work being judged by icons including fashion designer Naeem Khan, fashion writer/designer Joseph DeAcetis, designer and pulp culturist Mickey Boardman, model and actress Debbie Dickinson, and author/life coach Elliot Carlyle. The event was hosted by SohoMuse co-founder/CEO and Billboard recording artist Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin.

Three students were chosen as winners, earning the opportunity to have their first fashion collections manufactured by Runway 7—plus a complete runway show to debut the lines during September 2022’s New York Fashion Week.  Herrara emerged as one of the three winners and will have 10 original designs manufactured then displayed on the live runway this coming fall.

In addition to the runway exposure, Herrara’s menswear pieces will be featured on the e-commerce retail platform SohomuseMarketplace. She’ll also gain a direct-to-consumer e-boutique with online exposure for one year. Herrara’s winning looks were designed in a menswear class at Miami International University of Art & Design, under the guidance of Nestor Camacho.

Alejandro Barzaga impressed attendees with his menswear streetwear and women’s nightlife designs. Both Barzaga and Herrara made South Florida and Miami International University of Art & Design proud with their innovative designs, vision, and stage presence. We congratulate them on their success in standing out during one of fashion’s biggest weeks.

Watch video of the event on YouTube