California Apparel News

The semiannual Gold Thimble student-designer fashion show took place at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College downtown Los Angeles campus under the theme “Fashion Into the Future.” Twenty-seven graduating students from the school’s fashion-design program showcased creations within eight categories: Swimwear, Day Dress, Upcycled, Menswear, Avant-garde, Streetwear, Eveningwear and the theme— “Fashion Into the Future.”

The May 29 show followed LATTC’s 100th anniversary in 2025, noted Joseph Guerrieri, chair of the Design and Media Arts Pathway.

“This year’s show serves as both a celebration of that remarkable legacy and an exploration of what the next 100 years of fashion education and design might look like,” said Guerrieri. “Through the theme ‘Fashion Into the Future,’ students were invited to honor the program’s history while imagining new possibilities for the future of fashion.”

Placing first for the theme design was Sou Man Kit, while Nathan Carreon placed second and Carlos Rivera placed third. Sou Man Kit also placed first for Eveningwear; Luis Guillen secured second and Sunshine Lee won third. First place Streetwear honors were given to Sou Man Kit; Ashley Arreola placed second; and Jenny Paxtor won third. Avant-garde awards were bestowed on Sou Man Kit, who took first place; Nathan Carreon, who was awarded second place; and Gerardo Amado, who was given the third-place award. In the Menswear category, Sou Man Kit was awarded first place, Jenny Paxtor second and Grace Butler third. Within the Upcycled category, Luis Guillen won first place, Jasmine Cline placed second and John Hernandez secured third place. First place in the Day Dress category was awarded to Jemuel Austria, while Alexis Valdovinos placed second and Kay Kim third. Wendy Giron placed first in the Swimwear category, while Sou Man Kit secured second and Kay Kim won third.

“Many of the collections explored themes of innovation and the evolving relationship between technology and personal style,” Guerrieri said. “Their collections reflected not only technical skill and creativity but also a thoughtful consideration of how fashion can respond to the challenges and opportunities of the future.”