by Brooke Chiaramonte
May 1, 2026
We have messed up our Earth. Food is scarce and water sources are dried up. Shelter is a luxury and many live on the streets. The only option left is to migrate to another planet. We must completely change our lifestyle habits, including the way we dress. What would this look like? Would it look “Anti-Terrestrial?”
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Genesee Community College will host their 45th annual fashion show “Anti-Terrestrial” at the Richard C. Call Arena. VIP tickets are $50, General Admission tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door, and GCC students can attend for free.
The theme “Anti-Terrestrial” is based on the idea that if our society messed up Earth and we had to move to another planet, what would that look like? Students involved are challenged to create a brand-new society presenting clothing that is functional to the everyday needs of its citizens. Far beyond simply making clothes, students must explore the society they create and how the people live their day-to-day lives. This amount of involvement helps students to be prepared for the real-life fashion business. “Designers don’t willy nilly design stuff,” said Associate Professor of Fashion Business Laura Taylor. “You really have to be in tune to what the consumer wants and what they’re ready for.”
Attendees with VIP tickets get priority seating, access to a VIP reception with hors d’oeuvres, and a special fashion technology exhibit. With funding from the SEI office, students can be allowed free admission to the show. “At that point in the semester, students really need a little bit of a break,” said Taylor. “Enjoy all the creativity, and you just leave smiling.”
The GCC fashion program allows students to gain extensive hands-on experience. This allows students to build up their experience, so they can execute when they go out in the workforce. Additionally, there are a variety of concentrations students can focus on when in the fashion program, like fashion entrepreneurship, event planning, design, and merchandising. All these roles play a part in putting on the fashion show.
In years past, the fashion program was made up of almost 50% of international students. This year, there are only seven students putting the show together, none of them international students. Taylor said there are usually twice that many students in the show. According to the U.S. State Department, the number of student visas issued dropped by 40 percent in May 2025. ESL and English Professor Kathleen Klaiber said that she used to work with many fashion students from Japan. Now, a lot of international students already speak English and are from countries such as the UK and Canada.
When it comes to putting on the show, a variety of students are involved. All the models in the show are volunteers; some of whom learned how to model walk through a “model boot camp.” There are business students who run the ticketing booth, criminal justice students who run security, and digital art students who create posters.
Taylor attributes the recurring success of the fashion show to its high quality and affordability. Themes vary year-to-year, so attendees can see something new each year. Students practice technical sewing skills as they create high quality pieces. Last year, the show had 800 attendees, and this year she hopes to reach pre-Covid-19 numbers, which were as high as 1400 attendees. This show is streamed worldwide, and Taylor said that another goal of hers was to get a viewer on every continent. The only one left is Antarctica.
To people who are unsure about coming to the fashion show, Taylor said they should give it a chance as it is more than just models walking; it is a night of reflection. “We hope to be an inspiration,” said Taylor, “It gets you thinking about society. What kind of person are you? What kind of society would you choose to build.”