As demonstrated in Friday’s Student Fashion Association fashion show, designers are not just from apparel marketing and design anymore; designers from other disciplines are emerging.

Every semester, the Student Fashion Association hosts a show featuring works from student designers. This show, “Styles of Paradise,” featured 11 student designers and a variety of designs from swimsuits to T-shirts to dresses.

“This gives students a chance to showcase their designs and get themselves out there,” said senior apparel marketing design major Claire Warner, spokeswoman for the Student Fashion Association.

This year, the show helps not only students but a Sacramento State organization.

“We recently started doing charity fashion shows where we donate a portion of the proceeds to people in need. Since people are helping out our students by attending the event, we want to return the favor and help others as well,” Warner said.

This semester the club chose to help the Autism Center for Excellence here at Sac State. According to its website, the Autism Center for Excellence is an after-school program for kids aged 8 to 12 with autism.

Alexis Diaz, a senior double majoring in finance and apparel marking and design, showcased her collection of ready-to-wear women’s clothing. Using bright spring colors, she said she created six outfits in her “Con Chi” line that could be worn just about anywhere.

“I wanted to create something that was simple in design but would still stand out in color and appeal to the eye,” Diaz said.

With this being her first show, Diaz faced an unexpected obstacle with one of her pieces. To accommodate one of her models needing to change immediately after leaving the stage, Diaz replaced the back seam of one of her dresses with snaps to ensure easy changing.

“Every fashion event has some backstage drama,” Diaz said. “Luckily, it went off without a hitch and we rocked the runway.”

Diaz began sewing at the age of 14 and said she never thought she would pursue a career in fashion. After realizing she did not want to just get her degree in finance, she decided double-majoring in apparel marketing was the way to go.

“Since the fashion industry is so hard to get into, this isn’t a very safe decision for a major,” Diaz said. “But I decided to be brave and pursue my dream for I am very much in love with fashion.”

Hoping to work for a clothing company like The Gap in the future, Diaz said she this event is helping her work toward her goal.

“I want people to see that I have an eye for design,” Diaz said. “This event is getting my name out there and allowing others to see what kind of clothes I can create.”

Unlike Diaz, fellow student designer Anakarina Pimental said she wanted to branch away from the larger clothing corporations and hopes to create her own line.

“I want to be an exclusive designer where I make that one special dress for only one person,” Pimental said. “That way no one else would be wearing the same outfit – it would be a truly unique design.”

Pimental showcased her “Classy and Fresh” line with solid-color pieces that could be dressed up or down.

“My goal was to create a look where you can be classy and feel fresh but look somewhat formal at the same time,” Pimental said. “Wear flats with the pieces to make it casual or heels to dress it up.”

Pimental was creating dresses for her Barbies at the age of 8 and said she, too, did not think she would be pursuing fashion as a career choice. Working as a criminal justice major for five years at Sac State, Pimental said she realized her passion was in apparel marketing and design and switched her major.

“I just fell in love with designing and I decided that I wanted to make it a career,” Pimental said. “If I am going to do something for the rest of my life, I want to do something that I love to do.”

Both designers say fashion is an important aspect of everyday life.

“Fashion is what makes people feel confident, Pimental said. “If you look and feel good, you’re going to be happier and the people around you will notice.”

From first impressions to interviews, Diaz said people use clothing to get an idea of a person’s characteristics and personality.

“You can tell a lot about a person from what they wear,” Diaz said. “Clothing can give people a voice without using words.”