Runway
This year, MFI’s graduating class pushed the boundaries of both ingenuity and innovation with each of their respective collections, as well as a special capsule commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary.
Updated 10:55 pm EDT, June 17, 2026
Published 10:51 pm EDT, June 17, 2026
Photo Courtesy: Miami Fashion Institute
Runway Photographer: Simon Soong
This year, MFI’s graduating class pushed the boundaries of both ingenuity and innovation with each of their respective collections, as well as a special capsule commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary.
Updated 10:55 pm EDT, June 17, 2026
Published 10:51 pm EDT, June 17, 2026
Photo Courtesy: Miami Fashion Institute
Runway Photographer: Simon Soong
In a social media-saturated world, where trends abound and the homogenization of the fashion world is palpable, many people have found themselves craving new, truly unique ideas. And Miami Made 2026, Miami Fashion Institute (MFI) Annual Fashion Show, satisfied that craving. Held on June 4th, 2026, the show saw a select group of graduating students from MFI’s Fashion Design program present their respective collections to the wider public.
They debuted their cutting-edge looks against the historic backdrop of Miami’s Freedom Tower. Often referred to as the “Ellis Island of the South,” the Freedom Tower is renowned for welcoming over 400,000 Cubans in the 1960s and 1970s, following the Cuban Revolution. In 1979, the landmark was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and, in the years since, has become an enduring symbol of hope and cultural revival. Today, the building belongs to Miami Dade College and houses the Museum of Art and Design (MOAD).
"This show marks a defining moment for our students as they transition from the classroom into the global fashion industry. Each collection reflects not only technical excellence, but a strong, individual point of view shaped by today's cultural and creative landscape."
The ceremony opened with welcome remarks from Campus President Dr. Beatriz Gonzalez, College President Madeline Pumariega, and, of course, special guest and renowned artist and illustrator Ruben Toledo. Toledo, who himself entered America through the Freedom Tower from Cuba, is particularly familiar with the fashion industry as the husband of the late Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo. Isabel was a maverick in New York’s 1980s and 1990s fashion scene, operating largely as an avant-garde designer with a strong cult following.
Ruben and Isabel Toledo were a notoriously strong collaborative duo. While Isabel focused her efforts on pattern-making and garment construction, Toledo took on the visual storytelling portion of their operation. This involved illustrating her runway collections, creating ad campaigns, and even painting murals to bring her visions to life.
In more recent times, Isabel made headlines for designing Michelle Obama’s vibrant green and yellow lace dress set, which she donned at the first inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009. Toledo’s presence at the Miami Fashion Institute was marked by the launch of the Isabel & Ruben Toledo Award, honoring the “inspiration and narrative behind the collection.”
Following this, the runway presentation kicked off with a video tribute to the 10th anniversary of MFI, then proceeded into the showcase of the graduates’ work. These included the smoothly draped designs of Zachary Middleton, the impeccably tailored suits of Joseph Roa, and the sculptural satin dresses of Amanda Rodriguez. Likewise, Milagros García stunned with chic patchwork leather pieces, which were followed by Sara Lopera Jaramillo’s intriguing mixed-texture display.
After the runway, six of the showcase’s students were honored with design awards: Teresa Chumpitaz (Ruben and Isabel Toledo Award), Laura Prada (Editorial Award, presented by Brickell Magazine), Amanda Rodriguez (Retail Concept Award, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue), Milagros García (Miami Made Award, presented by Miami Fashion Week), Mauro Blanc (Collaboration Award, presented by Faith Connexion), and Maryna Gorbachova (Sustainability Award, presented by Upcycle Project).
Miami Made 2026 concluded with a truly special capsule collection of 10 distinct looks, celebrating the 250th anniversary of America. The looks themselves were undeniably innovative in their construction, as they were designed using Clo3D technology, which is a specific fashion design software, allowing creatives to create virtual, true-to-life garment visualization with the latest simulation technologies.
From there, several sportswear-adjacent looks emerged, including an undeniably cool coversized navy suit with a high neck and white stitching along the hem, as well as a sculptural white tunic top layered over a flowy red mini skirt. The collection was not only patriotic in its use of the country’s color palette and signature star motif, but also in its ingenuity. America has always been a country of boundary-pushing creatives and individualists, and this capsule, though brief, epitomized that to a tee.
In an industry where trend cycles dominate, MFI’s graduates looked beyond the homogeneity to produce collections that were not only original and inventive but meticulous in their craftsmanship. Their works, in both the primary and 250th Anniversary shows, demonstrated their ability to not only think outside of the current aesthetic norms, but do so in a chic and impeccably cool way. As they enter the broader fashion world following their time at MFI, they will no doubt be welcomed with open arms by a fashion-minded public that is increasingly craving something truly original.
Sarah Powless is a freelance writer currently based in New York. Previously, she has written for a variety of fashion and culture names, including CR Fashion Book, Daily Front Row, Worth Magazine and Wearing Magazine. Her work covers a broad range of subjects including, style, history, pop-culture, sustainability, and lifestyle.
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