Images credit: Miami Dade College
MIAMI — June 5, 2026 — Miami Dade College’s (MDC) acclaimed Miami Fashion Institute (MFI), in collaboration with Miami Fashion Week, presented its annual graduate fashion show on Thursday, June 4, at the iconic Freedom Tower in downtown Miami. The event celebrated the next generation of fashion innovators while marking the institute’s 10th anniversary.
“This show marked a defining moment for our students as they transitioned from the classroom into the global fashion industry,” said Oscar Lopez, chair of the Miami Fashion Institute. “As we celebrated 10 years of MFI, the collections reflected a decade of growth, creativity, and innovation. Our students demonstrated not only technical excellence but also bold, forward-thinking design perspectives.”
The 2026 show featured collections of 14 standout graduating students from MFI’s fashion design program. The designers were chosen by a distinguished panel of industry jurors, including Lourdes Fernandez-Velasco, executive managing director of Miami Fashion Week; Maria Buccellati of Faith Connexion; Naeem Khan, globally acclaimed fashion designer; and Danny Santiago, influential wardrobe stylist and costume designer to acclaimed television shows and movies. The emerging designers showcased a high level of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation, with their collections brought to life on the runway through a professionally produced show by Miami Fashion Week and Santiago.
The students who participated in the fashion show included:
- Mauro Blanc
- Teresa Chumpitaz
- Milagros García
- Maryna Gorbachova
- Susana Guzman
- Sara Lopera
- Deborah Melian
- Zachary Middleton
- Aaliyah Ocasio
- Laura Prada
- Amanda Rodriguez
- Petter Rodriguez
- Joseph Roa
- Maria Sanchez
This year’s program also featured renowned illustrator Ruben Toledo, who served as guest of honor and addressed the graduating class. Toledo, alongside Santiago, also participated in student engagements throughout the week.
The evening opened with remarks and a special video presentation celebrating 10 years of the Miami Fashion Institute, highlighting the community and collaborators who have shaped its success. The runway show was followed by an awards presentation recognizing excellence across key categories, presented by leading industry partners, including:
- The Ruben and Isabel Toledo Award — Teresa Chumpitaz (winner)
- The Retail Concept Award, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue — Amanda Rodriguez (winner)
- The Collaboration Award, presented by Faith Connexion — Mauro Blanc (winner)
- The Editorial Award, presented by Brickell Magazine — Laura Prada (winner)
- The Miami Made Award, presented by Miami Fashion Week — Milagros García (winner)
- The Sustainability Award, presented by Upcycle Project — Maryna Gorbachova (winner)
In a special finale, the program unveiled a capsule collection commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring 10 innovative looks created using CLO 3D, a fashion design software that simulates and renders digital garments in real time as a virtual prototyping tool.
About the Miami Fashion Institute
The Miami Fashion Institute at MDC offers South Florida’s only two-year fashion program at a public institution, awarding associate degrees in fashion design and fashion merchandising. Designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry, MFI’s curriculum blends creativity, technical training and hands-on experience. Students also have the opportunity to continue their education at prestigious four-year institutions worldwide. To learn more, visit mdc.edu/fashion.
For more information about MFI’s graduate fashion show, contact Laura Neroulias of LORA PR at laura@lorapr.com or Oscar Lopez, MFI chair, at 305-237-7011 or olopez7@mdc.edu