High school, college student designs grace runway during fashion week

MBHS Kathryn Sours and MBHS graduate Seline Meisler's designs walked the runway on Thursday night of Birmingham Fashion Week. Monkee's of Mountain Brook also held a show during the event.

Mountain Brook High School sophomore Kathryn Sours is one of the 38 semi-finalists for the Rising Design Star competition. Finalists from the competition will return to the runway Saturday night.

Each contestant crafted a garment representing one of Alabama’s major industries (agriculture, livestock, transportation, technology, fishing, forestry and mining) with recycled or alternative materials such as glue, staples, tape, safety pins and paper clips. These garments were on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art through April 26. 

To craft the dress, Kathryn created a base using a shower curtain and then duct taped and stapled the dark green Barber Dairy cartons to create a sleeveless crop top and A-line high waisted skirt.

Another Mountain Brook native, Seline Meisler, a student at the University of Alabama, also showcased her designs during Fashion Week as a part of the Emerging Designer Competition. In order to be considered for the competition, each applicant submitted at least eight clothing sketches, create a digital mood board that describes what inspired each design and underwent in-person interview sessions with a team of judges. 

The Emerging Designer winner was announced during Saturday’s runway finale and receive a grand prize package including a guaranteed spot at BFW 2016’s runway show, a television appearance, editorial piece, photo shoot with a BFW professional photographer including hair and makeup, as well as a $1,000 scholarship.