Students at BYU recently stepped onto the runway with fashion pieces inspired directly by artwork from The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce, currently on display at the BYU Museum of Art. Each look — including clothing, makeup, and hair design — was modeled by its creator and connected to a specific painting chosen long before the exhibition opened.
A Yearlong Creative Journey
The project began more than a year ago in a sewing class led by professor Amber Williams in the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program. Students devoted months to research, drafting, fabric selection, and construction, shaping garments that blended technical skill with artistic interpretation.
Williams encouraged her students to treat the design process as both a creative discipline and a personal expression, emphasizing that artistic skills build confidence and carry lasting value.
Collaboration Across Art Forms
To complete the looks, fashion students partnered with Theater and Media Arts students guided by adjunct instructor Jennine Hollingshaus. This teamwork brought multiple artistic perspectives into each final outfit, helping the creators understand how hair, makeup, silhouette, and color work together on a runway.
Each student studied one painting in depth, focusing not only on visuals but also on tone, mood, and meaning.
How Students Interpreted Iconic Works
Color and Strength in “The Magic of Patchouli”
Pre-design student Ashley Clinger drew inspiration from the bold, saturated hues in The Magic of Patchouli. Wanting her piece to express the same confidence, she created brightly colored jeans using sturdy materials that reflected the painting’s energy and intensity.
Function and Beauty in “Landscape with Washerwomen”
Family and Consumer Sciences Education student Diana Watson focused on the blend of hardship and quiet dignity portrayed in Landscape with Washerwomen. She designed a dark, apron-style wrap dress with floral patterns, paired with a blouse featuring puffed sleeves — a look intended to feel practical yet distinctly feminine.
Humility and Purpose in “Saint Francis of Assisi in Meditation”
Student designer Lori Adrian reinterpreted spiritual themes from El Greco’s Saint Francis of Assisi in Meditation with Brother Leo. She gathered donated garments from across campus, cutting and piecing them into a new textile. The process echoed her desire to capture sacrifice, humility, and a commitment to serving others.
Honoring Six Centuries of Art Through Fashion
The exhibition that inspired the runway includes world-renowned works such as The Roman Widow, Flaming June, The Magic of Patchouli, and others spanning Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond. By translating these masterpieces into wearable forms, the BYU students created a contemporary celebration of beauty, storytelling, and artistic connection.
The resulting runway show became more than a class assignment — it was a vivid reminder of how art moves across generations and mediums, continually inspiring new expressions of creativity.
