Every designer starts somewhere, and for Miami Fashion Institute’s Class of 2026, that moment came under the lights of the historic Freedom Tower.
On June 4, Miami Dade College’s Miami Fashion Institute (MFI), in partnership with Miami Fashion Week, presented its annual Graduate Fashion Show, giving graduating students the opportunity to debut the collections they had spent months creating. The evening also marked a major milestone for the institute as it celebrated 10 years of educating and inspiring the next generation of fashion professionals.
The evening opened with a look back at MFI’s first decade, recognizing the faculty, students and industry partners who have helped build the program into what it is today. Guests then turned their attention to the runway, where a select group of graduating designers presented collections that reflected their own point of view, technical skills and creativity.
The collections were selected by an accomplished panel that included Miami Fashion Week Executive Managing Director Lourdes Fernandez-Velasco, designer Naeem Khan, Maria Buccellati of Faith Connexion and celebrity stylist Danny Santiago, who also produced the runway presentation.
“This show marked a defining moment for our students as they transitioned from the classroom into the global fashion industry,” said Oscar Lopez, chair of the Miami Fashion Institute. “As we celebrated 10 years of MFI, the collections reflected a decade of growth, creativity and innovation.”
Renowned illustrator Ruben Toledo served as the evening’s guest of honor after spending time with students throughout the week. He later addressed the graduating class, offering encouragement as they prepare to begin their careers in the fashion industry.
Following the runway show, students were recognized for their work during the annual awards presentation.
Teresa Chumpitaz received the Ruben and Isabel Toledo Award, one of the evening’s highest honors.
“Receiving the Isabel & Ruben Toledo Award was incredibly meaningful because it affirmed not only my creative vision, but also my journey of rebuilding through fashion,” Chumpitaz said. “As an emerging designer, I see fashion as a tool for transformation, storytelling and empowerment, so being recognized by artists whose work embodies individuality and imagination feels deeply validating.”
She said the award encourages her to continue building her brand while remaining true to her vision. Chumpitaz also shared that she looks forward to participating in a private roundtable and receiving mentorship from Ruben Toledo.
Milagros García was presented with the Miami Made Award by Miami Fashion Week.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful to receive the Miami Made Award from Miami Fashion Week,” García said. “It was completely unexpected. This award means a great deal to me because my collection represents a project that I invested so much dedication, passion and hard work into. It is incredibly rewarding to see others connect with and believe in the vision behind my work.”
She said the recognition gave her confidence to continue exploring her creativity while building a career in the fashion industry.
Other award recipients included Amanda Rodriguez, who received the Retail Concept Award presented by Saks Fifth Avenue; Mauro Blanc, who earned the Collaboration Award presented by Faith Connexion; Laura Prada, who received the Editorial Award presented by Brickell Magazine; and Maryna Gorbachova, who was honored with the Sustainability Award presented by Upcycle Project.
The evening ended with a special capsule collection celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The presentation featured 10 looks created using CLO 3D, giving guests a glimpse into how digital design is becoming an increasingly important part of the fashion industry. The project was inspired by a recent class collaboration in which students designed athletic uniforms for Miami Dade College, with two of those designs selected for production through a partnership with Adidas.
As MFI celebrates its first decade, this year’s graduate show was a reminder that fashion is always evolving—and so are the designers behind it. For the Class of 2026, the runway was more than a final assignment. It was the beginning of the next chapter.
*Photo credit: Miami-Dade College
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