Tickets are now available for this year’s student-run runway event, set for March 27 in the Hach Student Life Center at Northwood University!
Organizers of the Northwood University Fashion Showcase (NUFS) have officially announced the theme for this year’s highly anticipated, student-run runway event: Style & Sound. The showcase will take place Friday, March 27, celebrating the powerful connection between music and fashion through an immersive, student-designed experience.
“NUFS is one of Northwood University’s signature experiential learning opportunities, as it is run entirely by students — from creative direction and design to choreography, marketing, and production,” explained Dr. Scott Warner, who leads Northwood’s merchandising and marketing degree program and is the faculty advisor for the Northwood University Fashion Showcase. “Each year, student leaders select a unifying theme that guides every element of the showcase — from runway styling and stage design to music and storytelling.”
This year’s theme, Style & Sound, invites audiences to explore how music influences fashion across genres, cultures, and generations. From hip-hop-inspired streetwear to glamorous looks echoing disco and pop icons, the showcase will feature ensembles that reflect the rhythm and identity behind every style.
“Style & Sound is about more than just what you see — it’s about what you feel,” said Heidi Merillat, a student from Sanford, Michigan, who is chairing the 2026 Northwood University Fashion Showcase. “Music shapes how we express ourselves, and fashion is a powerful way we show that to the world. Our team is creating a show that brings those two forces together in a way that’s bold, emotional, and unforgettable.”
Students involved in NUFS gather garments from more than 10 boutiques and brands, coordinate models, lighting, staging, video production, and photography, develop choreography, design graphics, and run an interactive website — all of which create an experience that rivals professional runway productions. In addition to the styled runway looks, the event features a segment where Northwood students debut original garments created from scratch or reimagined from existing materials.
This year, student-designed collections will be showcased throughout the entire event, highlighting the creativity and technical skill of Northwood’s emerging designers.
“NUFS is one of the best examples of experiential learning at Northwood University,” said Undergraduate Dean Dr. Stacey Tetloff. “Students aren’t just participating in a fashion show — they are running a complex, real-world production that requires leadership, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Announcing and building a theme like Style & Sound gives them ownership of the vision and the opportunity to bring it to life.”
The Northwood University Fashion Showcase is made possible through the generosity of alumni, friends, and corporate sponsors who believe in supporting student creativity and professional development.
“Sponsorships help provide the resources, mentorship, and platforms students need to refine their skills and prepare for careers in fashion, marketing, media, and design,” Warner noted.
Doors open for the Style & Sound Fashion Showcase at 6 p.m. Friday, March 27, in the Hach Student Life Center at Northwood University. To order tickets and explore sponsorship opportunities, visit https://www.nufs.northwood.edu/tickets. For behind-the-scenes content and event updates, follow the Northwood University Fashion Showcase on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
