MassArt Fashion Show 2026:
For the Public

On Saturday, May 16, senior Fashion Design students presented original collections at the annual runway show in the Design and Media Center at MassArt. The evening featured two presentations: a showcase of all senior collections and a curated show. The livestream recording will be posted hereonce it’s available.

Discover the next generation of fashion talent through innovative garments, bold concepts, and creative storytelling from MassArt’s graduating seniors.

BOSTON – Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) will present its annual Fashion Show, titled FOR THE PUBLIC, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, celebrating the bold creativity and craftsmanship of its graduating Fashion Design seniors. From concept to runway, each piece reflects the creative vision, technical skill, and individual voice of the next generation of fashion talent.

“The MassArt Fashion Show brings together Boston’s creative community for a night that’s as inspiring as it is impactful,” said Jennifer Varekamp, Chair of Fashion Design at MassArt. “It showcases extraordinary student talent while also raising nearly $100,000 annually and providing meaningful support for the Fashion Design program.”

About the 2026 Fashion Show: FOR THE PUBLIC

The 2026 Fashion Show: FOR THE PUBLIC, will feature senior Fashion Design thesis collections in a high-energy runway presentation at the MassArt Design and Media Center. Showcasing work that ranges from avant-garde statements to wearable art, this presentation highlights the full range and depth of student creativity.

2026 Fashion Show: For The Public

Saturday, May 16
Time: 5:30pm
Location: MassArt Design & Media Center
Buy Tickets

Later in the evening, a curated runway will present a selection of standout collections, chosen through a competitive review process by guest curators Theo Tyson, Lana Barakat, Johnny King, Morgan Hill, and Maggie Mahoney. The final selections are made during a full-day review on May 8, when curators will evaluate all 29 collections in person and meet with senior designers. 

For The Public, Curated Show 

Saturday, May 16
Time: 8pm
Location: MassArt Design & Media Center
Buy tickets

About the Fashion Show Party: Off the Runway

A limited number of tickets are available for the Fashion Show Party, Off the Runway. This pre-show celebration will be held at the MassArt Art Museum (MAAM), bringing together supporters and creative leaders for cocktails, shared conversation, and a closer connection with the designers behind the runway. Following the party, guests are invited to attend the 8pm Curated Fashion Show.

Fashion Show Party: Off the Runway

Saturday, May 16
Time: 6pm party, 8pm fashion show
Location: MassArt Art Museum (MAAM)
Buy tickets

The evening is hosted by MassArt President Mary K. Grant, Fashion Show Party Co-Chairs Ann Gallo and Denise Korn, Vice Chair of the MassArt Board of Trustees, along with the 2026 MassArt Fashion Show Honorary Committee: Jake Abrams, Caroline Collings, MassArt Honorary Foundation Director, Lynn Dale, Robin Hauck, Tali Kwatcher, MassArt Honorary Foundation Director, James Mason ‘81, Associate Provost, Samuel Mazzarelli, Jonathan Soroff, and Lori Sullivan.

“Year after year, this event reflects the strength of the MassArt community and the dedication, craft, and creative ambition of Fashion Design students,” said Ann Gallo, Fashion Show Party Co-Chair. “We are proud to support their growth and help sustain scholarships that promote student success.”

“The MassArt Fashion Show is a powerful reminder of what happens when emerging artists are given the space and support to take risks,” said Denise Korn. “It’s an honor to help champion these students and celebrate their work with a wider audience.”

More than a fun night out, all funds raised at MassArt Fashion Show support student scholarships in one of the country’s longest-standing fashion programs. Join us in cultivating the next generation of designers, stylists, and creative leaders shaping the future of fashion, and experience the energy, vision, and talent of MassArt senior Fashion Design students.

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About MassArt

The only independent public college of art and design in the country, MassArt was founded in 1873 in response to a bold idea: art and design are essential to our daily lives, and key to improving our society and economy. What began as a school to teach drawing is today a bold, comprehensive art and design institution that spans 18 undergraduate and nine graduate programs, certificates, continuing education, and post-baccalaureate study.

About MassArt Fashion Design

Since 1907, the MassArt Fashion Design department has been cultivating and nurturing designers, leaders, and artists in the realm of fashion. The program shapes thoughtful, individual, and collaborative designers and makers into creative problem solvers and critical thinkers, equipped with the technical and innovative skills to become reflective agents of change.

MEDIA CONTACT

Temple Gill, Interim Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, tgill@massart.edu

The classroom collaboration marked the beginning of an ongoing partnership. While on sabbatical, Tuttle continued working with Tatum Robotics as a Garment Design and Production Consultant, leading the design and refinement of glove patterns and prototypes for new iterations of the robotic hand.

Solving for Signal, Fit, and Function

Designing the glove required balancing technical and material challenges. It needed to transmit signals from the robotic hand through the fabric to the user’s hand. Early attempts with wires and conductive thread proved inconsistent, leading Tuttle to source conductive stretch fabrics that ensured consistent signal flow while remaining flexible and comfortable.

Range of motion was equally critical. Early prototypes limited movement and prevented the thumb and pinky finger from fully touching to form the letter “W.” Through iterative pattern adjustments and testing, Tuttle refined articulation without compromising conductivity. Prototypes were also adapted to different user needs. Low-vision designs featured high-contrast elements between the thumb and fingers, while gloves for users with no vision prioritized tactile clarity and comfort.

Throughout the process, Tuttle worked directly with members of the DeafBlind community, refining multiple prototypes and moving the project closer to a market-ready, accessible product.

“While testing a new version that incorporated high-contrast fabric placement and conductive fabric, John, a low-vision user, shared with enthusiasm that he could fully understand what was being communicated. It was quite a thrill to share in his excitement about the improvements,” said Tuttle of the shared design process. “Collaborating with members of the DeafBlind community was a unique and meaningful experience. I valued the opportunity to learn how DeafBlind individuals navigate and experience the world, and I applied those insights to design a more comfortable and interactive glove. I am deeply inspired by their joy, appreciation, and perseverance.”

In addition to material research and prototyping, Tuttle guided the project’s creative direction, production, fabric sourcing, and cost management. She collaborated closely with the Tatum Robotics team to ensure the glove aligned with both technical requirements and the project’s broader accessibility goals.

The Tatum1 Robot has since launched, and DeafBlind users can order it through health insurance. “I am grateful to have played a small role in bringing this wonderful innovation to life,” shared Tuttle.

Bringing Real-World Innovation into the Classroom

Experiences like this shape how Tuttle approaches teaching. By integrating projects connected to emerging technologies and inclusive design, she helps students understand the practical and socially impactful applications of their skills. Through the Tatum Robotics collaboration, students engaged in interdisciplinary problem-solving, balancing technical requirements, user experience, and design considerations. The project broadened their understanding of the career pathways available to Fashion Design graduates.

“MassArt Fashion Design seniors embraced this unique design challenge with excitement, curiosity, and determination. They developed highly specialized skills as they designed for a robot’s fit, function, and range of motion, and for the comfort and usability needs of DeafBlind individuals, thoughtfully addressing their distinct experiences and challenges.” said Tuttle. “I was deeply impressed by their ability to apply what they learned in their fashion design courses to this real-world inclusive design challenge. It was a rewarding experience not just for the students, but for everyone involved.”

Students from one of the design teams reflected, “We discovered that fashion can truly intersect with any industry or field. Although we did not imagine that ASL and fashion could come together in this beautiful and unique way, we are grateful that we got to participate in this innovative process, and excited to witness the future of Tatum Robotics. We can already imagine a future with greater access to communication and information for the DeafBlind.”

At MassArt, projects like this demonstrate that fashion design is not only about what we wear. It is about how design can expand communication, increase independence, and create more inclusive ways of living.