Albright College designers debuted in New York City September 2021 for New York Fashion Week (NYFW) — a major bi-annual event of runway shows and presentations used to highlight designers’ collections for the next fashion season. The week’s events are covered by top fashion media outlets, from Vogue to New York Magazine and Fashion United.
Unveiling its inaugural New York Fashion Week schedule — NYFW on Fifth highlighted a runway exclusively showing collections by Albright College alumni and students, Sept. 11.

NYFW on Fifth is held at 608 Fifth Avenue between 48th and 49th Streets — a three-story venue transformed into a centralized location for fashion week events.
“Fifth Avenue is home to the most iconic heritage brands in fashion and we are excited to watch the future of fashion walk the runway at 608 Fifth Avenue in September,” said Jerome Barth, president of Fifth Avenue Association in a WWD article (Yahoo News).
Promoted by Albright alumnus and fashion industry expert, R. Scott French ’87 of VERY New York, the nine collection show features alumni: Luisana Batista ’17, Mandy Boandl ’17, Jess D’Alessio ’17, Ashley Hillegass ’21, Kaleb Murdock ’20, Josh Polk ’17 and Liz Polley ’07, as well as current students Amanda Castanon ’21 and Stephanie Vargas Hemmings ’22.
“If someone were to tell my younger self I would be walking down the runway at NYFW with a stunning model wearing my design, I wouldn’t have believed it. Thank you so much Albright College and VERY New York … for this incredible opportunity of a lifetime!” — Stephanie Vargas Hemmings ’22.
Albright NYFW in the news:
“… all of the [Albright] collections contained a real fashion sensibility, and something that is so important in this industry, especially for young designers, an individual style and a tangible joie de vivre.” – Fashion Reverie
“Fashion companies beware: Albright College graduates are coming to play in a serious way.” – Pop Style TV
“I’m so excited to see my designs go down the grandest stage they’ve been on yet. And the fact that it’s live just heightens the excitement,” said Amanda Boandl ’17- Sourcing Journal
“Influencer & author, Caroline Vazzana, herself a graduate of the Albright College fashion program, said ‘The collections were so beautiful, and you could just feel the energy and excitement from everyone in the crowd as the models made their way down the runway! Congratulations to Albright College and to all of the incredibly talented designers, I can’t wait to see what each does next!’” – Garnette Report
“Albright College is a private, liberal arts college located in Reading, Pennsylvania with a prominent fashion program. The show is made up of 9 designers, each showing 6 looks with diversity in terms of race & size.” – Forbes
“The Best Way to Stand Out This Fall is to Blend In… Fashionably” | Fashion Avenue News
“Your Everything Guide To September’s NYFW Schedule” | Style Caster
“New York Fashion Week On 5th” | Times Square Chronicles
“Albright College Designers Present at New York Fashion Week” | BCTV.org
“NYFW on Fifth Unveils Premiere Show Schedule” | Yahoo
“NYFW on Fifth Unveils Premiere Show Schedule” | Women’s Wear Daily
“New York Fashion Week announced event line-up on Fifth Avenue” | Amny
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