The fabrics were cinched, the laces were sewn and the visions were realized as the Fashion Association at LSU held its annual spring show, “A Century in Style,” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday, displaying the immense dedication and hard work that is mended to the fashion world.
Before the show began, VIP attendees were able to help themselves to an open bar, finger sandwiches and a small selection of vendors’ products. Some of the vendors included LaBelleThreads, Le Rêve Coffee and Time Warp Boutique.
As the clock struck 5:30 p.m. and guests filed into the showroom for the designated VIP Cocktail Hour, the designers were dressing their models and adding the finishing touches in the next room.
A disco ball is held Sunday, May 3, 2026, during A Century In Style: Spring Show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, La. (Evan Touchet)
Senior biology major Anne Brasseaux was one of the models strutting her way down the runway; Brasseaux explained how she actually attended the previous year’s show as a guest because her roommate, JM Maleszewski, was a junior show chair and also had a few looks she designed in the show. For this year’s spring show, Maleszewski was the senior show chair.
From watching Maleszewski sew the pieces at home to actually seeing them grace the runway, Brasseaux was mesmerized by the labor that went into designing, creating and accessorizing the looks.
Brasseaux said that Maleszewski originally wanted to feature one of Brasseaux’s designs, but due to time constraints, Maleszewski was forced to cut the look. Still, Maleszewski encouraged her to attend the show’s modeling casting call.
The modeling casting call involved the candidates showing up in all-black attire, getting their photos and measurements taken and then being put into a flipbook that designers could look through to find a model who would most fit their vision.
Her designer was senior Emily Wells, whose collection was titled “Colors of Chaos.”
“My designer is going for more of a chaotic, colorful, psychedelic type — very ‘80s,” Brasseaux said. “She was taking anyone she could get because she was looking for a really diverse group of models to put her pieces together.”
A model struts Sunday, May 3, 2026, during A Century In Style: Spring Show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, La. (Evan Touchet)
Brasseaux described the preparation process from a model’s point of view: the model would meet with their designer to take measurements, attend FALSU meetings to meet show expectations, and meet with their designer and other models on the same roster for a photoshoot to document all of the looks.
Brasseaux said her major requires her to be dressed in scrubs most of the time, but being a part of fashion and having Maleszewski as her roommate has taught her she doesn’t have to go to class in her pajamas. Fashion helps Brasseaux feel confident in a way that is true to herself.
“It shows me how much actually goes into making clothing and the design process period,” Brasseaux said. “It’s really cool to see that happen in my own house, but it’s also shown me that when I look good, I feel good.”
Another model for the show was senior general business major Paris Koch. Koch’s designer was also Maleszewski, whose collection was titled “Darling Please.”
Koch said Maleszewski is a friend of hers, and she reached out to her outlining all of the commitments, from attending informational meetings to photoshoots. After Maleszewski asked if she would be interested in modeling, Koch happily agreed to support her friend.
Koch said she most looked forward to walking the runway because of the adrenaline rush she gets from it, and it is the big moment to display her friend’s hard work in the form of fashion. Once the outfits are walking the runway, the audience can sit back and appreciate the designers’ hard work and what fashion means to them.
“I think the biggest takeaway for the audience is to recognize and appreciate just how hard these students have worked,” Koch said. “This is something that every fashion student is so passionate about.”
This is Koch’s second year as a model for FALSU’s annual spring show. She said that even though she herself walks down the catwalk in the clothes, Maleszewski did all of the work. Koch believes that this moment is not about the models, but rather the work completed behind the scenes.
A model walks down the runway Sunday, May 3, 2026, during A Century In Style: Spring Show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, La. (Evan Touchet)
Koch described the work that designers do as grueling, she explained what fashion is to her.
“I think your fashion choices are a representation of your personality. It’s a way you can get your personality out visually without ever speaking verbally.”
One audience member waiting in anticipation was junior dietetics major Sophia Moreau. She was in attendance to support a friend who was modeling in the show for junior designer Breanna Robert’s “Lisa Freak” collection.
Moreau said another big part of why she attended was because she is interested in the history side of it, and this was her first time attending a fashion show.
Moreau even touched on what the Baton Rouge community can take away from FALSU’s show and the significance in showing up for student organization events like the fashion show.
“I think that a lot of people look at the people who are already big and who are achieving a very high status, but to support the people who are just starting off is really important,” Moreau said. “I think that they could use that support as well.”