This post was updated May 25 at 10:19 p.m.. Ashley Chen is putting the sign in design. The second-year economics and philosophy student will debut several original designs focused on the zodiac signs of the Western astrological calendar during Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA’s annual runway show. Read more...

Photo: Second-year economics and philosophy student Ashley Chen (left) and third-year psychology student Leah Williams-Mohammed (right) pose against blue lockers, wearing Chen’s designs. Chen’s collection for the Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA spring runway show is based on the zodiac signs, which she said she enjoys because of their universal nature. (Nina Morasky/Daily Bruin)

This post was updated May 25 at 10:26 p.m. Gabe Discipulo seeks to make a spontaneous splash on the Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA runway. Read more...

Photo: Third-year sociology student Gabe Discipulo (left) and third-year Japanese language and culture student Angel Araki (right) lean against a white background. Discipulo, who showed his designs for the first time at the Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA runway, said he was inspired by spontaneity and defiance. (Lauren Man/Daily Bruin senior staff)

This post was updated May 25 at 10:09 p.m. Josephine Qi is branching out into fashion with botanical-inspired creations. The fourth-year business economics student’s designs are hitting the runway for a second time Friday. Read more...

Photo: Fourth-year computational and systems biology student Defne Ercelen (left) and fourth-year business economics student Josephine Qi (right) pose together, wearing Qi’s design for the Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA spring runway show. Qi said she was inspired by the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden to create tree-influenced designs. (Emily Kohen/Daily Bruin)

Starting from a simple shirt, Ishmael Jasmin is sewing streetwear. After receiving a sewing machine from his mom eight years ago, the fourth-year psychology student said his initial foray into fashion resulted in an unattractive top and caused him to step away from designing for five years. Read more...

Photo: Ishmael Jasmin stands by a tree in front of a gray wall. The fourth-year psychology student said he draws inspiration for his streetwear-inspired designs from many places, ranging from downtown Los Angeles fabric stores to Japanese fashion. (Courtesy of Ishmael Jasmin)

This post was updated May 25 at 10:03 p.m. No longer “Playing Dress Up,” Lauryn Ilasco is “Coming of Age.” After debuting in 2021 with “Playing Dress Up” – a garment line that explores childhood nostalgia – the second-year undeclared student will be returning to the Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA catwalk with her new collection, “Coming of Age.” Ilasco said since learning to sew a decade ago, she has been teaching herself fashion design by studying the construction of her own store-bought clothes. Read more...

Photo: Fourth-year human biology and society student Anna Jovin (left) and second-year undeclared student Lauryn Ilasco (right) model clothes from Ilasco’s new line “Coming of Age.” Inspired by movies that showcase growing up as a daring and transformational time, she said the line embodies the exploration that occurs during a coming of age. (Jenny Xu/Daily Bruin)

This post was updated May 25 at 10:06 p.m. Misunderstood villains are getting a twist in Caroline Hersman’s new collection. On Friday, Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA’s spring runway show will debut the third-year psychology student’s line titled “Awakening.” Hersman said she initially became interested in design in the fourth grade when she was first introduced to the mechanics of fashion by her dad, who taught her how to sew. Read more...

Photo: Caroline Hersman poses with a dress adorned in foliage and sprinkled with sequins. The third-year psychology student said her collection titled “Awakening” merges movie villains, queer themes and the ’90s. (Neha Krishnakumar/Daily Bruin)

This post was updated May 25 at 10:14 p.m. Ethan Cortez is getting down to business with his debut collection. As a newcomer to the Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA spring runway show, the first-year pre-business economics student said the core of his collection is the distortion of traditional corporate wear, infused with elements of streetwear. Read more...

Photo: Third-year sociology student Robby Wong (left) and first-year pre-business economics student Ethan Cortez (right) sit on a bench in clothing from Cortez’s collection for the Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA spring runway show. Through taking traditional business wear and adding rips and loose threads, Cortez said his designs are an allegory for the stress placed on American workers. (Bryan Palmero/Daily Bruin senior staff)