Students from Pima Community College and Flowing Wells High School took over a West Side stage to showcase original fashion designs inspired by the five Chinese elements, all made from Goodwill materials.

Students participating in the May 16 "Elements of Fashion" show drew inspiration from the five elements in Chinese philosophy: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. All proceeds benefited future programming and student achievement awards.

Director Dulce Douglas and Jessica Peel-Scott, PCC's fashion design department lead faculty, worked in tandem to bring the students' vision to life. Peel-Scott brought extensive costume design experience to the team, with credits including "The Princess Diaries" films, "Oz the Great and Powerful," "Jessie" and "Bunk'd."

"They pulled out all the stops and worked hard to make all of this happen," Peel-Scott said of the students involved in the show. "We're excited that we're done, but we're also excited that we get to showcase and celebrate them."

Douglas, a Pima alum who came on as head of production, brought her previous knowledge of the event to elevate the experience for the artists and audience.

In addition to designs from emerging student designers and high school students just stepping into the world of fashion, the show featured pieces from Pima alumni and faculty.

This was the ninth year that PCC has prioritized sustainability, partnering with Goodwill of Southern Arizona to source materials.

The event, held at PCC's Proscenium Theatre, featured DJ Orlando and visual engineer Rudi Kemushu, working together to draw the audience into the experience.

Tina Stephens, a member of PCC's fashion department, said she was proud to see her students walk on stage.

"I'm really excited to see the expressions they have on their faces," Stephens said, "because they made (the clothing) and that was once a drawing they turned into flat pieces of fabric and now it's on a person."

Chris Will, head of the PCC Theatre and Dance department, took the stage in front of a packed house to kick off the show, which began with an immersive performance by the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center's Lion Dance Troupe. Six colorful dragons opened the show, and as the drumming faded, the first collection began with designs by Flowing Wells High School students.

Each of the five collections was entirely different, ranging from bright color blocking techniques to flowing and draped garments and even upcycled and reimagined denim.

Models wore everything from top hats to cowboy hats, their silhouettes reflecting against the balcony seats under the spotlights.

"If someone told me to make couture out of Goodwill clothing I think I'd look like a glorified camp counselor," Miss Arizona Jenna Ghisolfo said between collections, standing on stage in a blue sequined gown. 

The show ended with Douglas presenting awards to the young designers.

"I'm so thankful that my journey kept me going to where I got to actually do fashion shows," Douglas said, "and then I got (to meet) these amazing people!"

Lily Cottam is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and intern at Tucson Spotlight.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.