Stevenson University's Fashion Design program will present "Io, Tu, e La Moda Italiana" (Me, You, and Italian Fashion), an exhibition of original fashions created by senior and junior fashion design majors with fabrics made in Italy, and influenced by Italian fashion designers.

The exhibition, curated by Matthew Laumann, Manager of Cultural Programs at Stevenson and organized by Leslie Simpson, Fashion Design Instructor, kicks-off with a reception on Friday, December 6, 6-8 p.m., and runs through Saturday, January 18, in Stevenson's St. Paul Companies Pavilion, located on the University's Greenspring Campus, 1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson, MD 21153.

"The exhibition serves as a venue for the fashion design students to showcase their creative work and for the community to celebrate Italian culture and learn about the art of fashion design," said Sally Di Marco, Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Fashion Design. "By collaborating, planning, and managing a large-scale installation, students learn the importance of professionalism."

Stevenson students enrolled in the Introduction to Textiles course, taught by Simpson, created the storyboards for the exhibit, which tell the story of the designer's influences. Stevenson students were assisted by high school students enrolled in the Textiles and Fashion Careers department housed in the Carroll County Career and Technology Center (CCCTC) and administered by the Carroll County Public School System. The high school students collaborated with Stevenson's design students to create and install original displays for the high fashion garments inspired by the design houses of Armani, Cavalli, Ferretti, Moschino, Pucci, and Versace, among others.

"Our collaboration with Stevenson University has given CCCTC students an opportunity to be part of a larger perspective," said Catherine Harris, CCCTC Textiles & Fashion Careers Instructor. "There is also the benefit of helping students to get a glimpse into the next phase of their educational journey."

From Stevenson, the exhibition travels to New York City and opens at the Manex-France Display showroom, located in the heart of the garment district and runs from January 30 through February 14, 2014, during the city's renowned Fashion Week. In March, the exhibition's journey continues to Tuscany, Italy for a one-day showing at the Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci (Contemporary Art Center Pecci Museum).

The journey ends when the designs are showcased in a spectacular runway show at Stevenson University's Inscape Theatre on Saturday April 26, 2014. The collection will grace the runway at the Annual Student Fashion Show, organized by Stevenson's Fashion Design Program.