Summer of Style: A Deep Dive into the Summer Fashion Runway Camp

Summer of Style: A Deep Dive into the Summer Fashion Runway Camp

When school lets out, the sewing machines at Columbus Fashion Academy heat up! Our Summer Fashion Runway Camp is easily the most high-energy, transformative time of year in our studio. It isn't just a "camp"—it’s a deep-dive intensive where students live and breathe design from the first sketch to the final strut.

A New Challenge Every Week

One of the most unique aspects of our summer program is that no two weeks are ever the same. Because each week features entirely different projects and fresh inspiration, many of our designers join us for multiple sessions to build out full, multi-piece collections.

In our tech-free sanctuary, we trade screens for sewing machines. We watch as "waste-to-wonder" upcycling takes center stage, teaching students that a discarded garment isn't trash—it’s a canvas. Students push their boundaries, practicing the grit and flexibility required to take a wild idea and turn it into a finished masterpiece in record time.

Building a Powerhouse Community

While the technical skills—pattern making, stitching, and construction—are vital, the community is what truly shines. We foster an environment of teamwork and unapologetic artistic freedom. Whether it’s a student’s first time touching a sewing machine or their fourth summer with us, they find a space where they are seen, heard, and encouraged to create with intention.

The Final Transformation

The week culminates in a professional runway experience. Watching a young person walk the runway in a garment they conceived and constructed themselves is nothing short of magic. It is the ultimate expression of agency and self-love.

Do you know of someone who could benefit from our programs? Summer camps are almost sold out, but we have a few spots left (at the time we published this post). More details here.

About the Author

Priscila Teixeira is an award-winning community leader, passionate educator, fashion artist, and public speaker, dedicated to empowering people through creativity and fostering meaningful change. She is the Founder and CEO of Columbus Fashion Academy, a local social enterprise transforming lives through sustainable fashion, and the Founder and Executive Director of The Fashion Community, a nonprofit human services agency committed to caring for all people through innovative programs and initiatives that cultivate creativity. With a postgraduate degree in Fashion Business and Communications, graduating cum laude, Priscila has earned recognition for her work across Brazil, Cuba, and the United States, spanning roles in major corporations to small businesses. Passionate about human rights, justice, equality, inclusion, fairness, and artistic freedom; she believes adults, parents, educators, and community leaders have a responsibility to guide and support children and youth. She believes our community must lead and inspire by example, showing care for people and the planet. Through her work, Priscila blends artistry and advocacy to inspire others and create a more sustainable and equitable world.