Animal print silk top and structured pants exhibited designer's tailoring skills.

This feminine dress set the tone for the beginning of the show.

The crowd looks on as a model takes a turn on the runway.

A menswear look

Kiwi Time plays while a model dons a striped blue and grey sheathe on stage

For proof that fashion can be about more than looking good, look no further than Designing for a Difference, a  fashion show held this past Saturday evening at the African American Cultural Center. Its goal? To raise money for much-needed sewing machines and supplies for San Francisco State University design students.

Even better: the students involved in the show weren’t raising funds for themselves, but those who’ll be in their shoes:

A trio of looks face the audience during the fashion show

Shift dress meets sculptural shoulders on the runway

Student designer Jonathan Cheung explained, “the graduating designers who showed their final collections tonight are raising money for future students in the program, not ourselves. So that, in itself, is making a difference.”

Participating designers Rebecca Cahua, JaEvon A. Marshall, Angela Wolverton, Jackie Truong, Myrelle Oliver, Jonathan Cheung, Amy Dorie and Regan Elisabeth Heath each delivered four to eight looks for the show using pieces from their final collections. All aimed to show contemporary looks that incorporated each designer’s individuality.

The fashion show kicked off with student band Kiwi Time, which had the audience members packing the venue dancing in their chairs with its alluring tunes and animated stage presence.

Next, models took to the stage in flirty cocktail dresses, 40′s inspired hemlines and printed menswear with edgy prints and studded detailing.  The post-show soiree included a meet and greet with designers, delicious cupcakes and a raffle to complete the evening.

“Seeing the outcome of the event and the efforts displayed by the designers, sponsors, volunteers come together for an amazing night was the best part of planning the show. Next year will be even better,” described show founder and coordinator Rebecca Cahua.

Model and designers post-show

Photography by Dan Young

More San Francisco fashion shows…