After navigating the massive line (hint: always investigate a suspiciously long line, as you might find that there is a second, much shorter line closer to the door, as was the case last night) of people waiting to flood into the Wellness Center for the annual City College of San Francisco Fashion Show and arriving in seats flanking the long, raised runway, it was easy to feel the anticipation and excitement coming from the crowd. Bleacher seats on both sides were filled with guests, who were treated to a pre-show reception featuring student displays such as a millinery table and circus-themed refreshments.

The evening kicked off with a scholarship presentation honoring fourth-semester student Caroline Jacopy, who was awarded a four-year ride to the Academy of Art University. Once the show began, garments from the 29 participating fashion students paraded down a runway framed with circus-inspired red-and-white-striped curtains. Instead of showing the garments student by student, the show featured six themed segments combining work from multiple students. The millinery-driven opener dubbed Coco Before Chanel gave way to La Femme’s flirty dresses, while later segments were devoted to African-inspired patterns, metallics and black and white garments.

The breadth of imagination on display and diversity of designer vantage points was clear: these were not students cowed by trends, nor were they burdened by herd mentality aesthetics. There were versatile cocktail dresses, futuristic men’s jackets, daring one-piece bathing suits, an array of garments experimenting with shorts and sparkling, performance-ready gowns, just to name a few.

Among our favorite looks of the evening was Elisangela Davis’s black taffeta gown, pictured above, for its elegant silhouette and wearability.

Below, more images from the show:

The above dress is a piece by Academy of Art scholarship winner Caroline Jacopy

Harem pants and print bandeau top by Amanda Christine Ajisebutu

Dress and jacket by Ruby Goldberg

Dress accented with beads and hand-painted flowers by John Bana

From the Out of Africa segment

From the Coco Before Chanel opening segment

Photography: first two images by SF Indie Fashion. All other images courtesy of Christophe Tomatis.