EARTH DAY FASHION TRASHION RUNWAY

Staci M. Murawski of Norfolk, VA is a seasoned multidisciplinary artist and designer with over 30 years of experience across theater and film, working as an actress, director, producer, costume designer, wardrobe specialist, prop designer, and artistic director. Her work spans historical costuming, textile design, and visual art, with a strong focus on living history, historical reconstruction, forensic garment analysis, and character creation through clothing. She frequently collaborates with portrait and visual artists to bring historically inspired figures to life, drawing deep inspiration from historic fashion, textiles, nature, and the evolution of women’s clothing. Fascinated by the stories garments carry, Staci explores how people expressed identity through dress across time, often transforming discarded or unexpected materials into renewed, meaningful wearable art. More of her work can be found at https://linktr.ee/s_m_murawski

Sonya Z. Phillips of Virginia Beach, known as Sustainability-T, is a self-taught fashion designer with over 30 years of experience creating bold, expressive, and environmentally conscious designs. Specializing in sustainable fashion, she brings versatility to her work, crafting everything from exotic dancewear to praise dance garments, with a strong passion for costuming and transforming discarded materials into wearable “Trashion” art. Her creative inspiration draws from a wide range of sources, including food, music, personal life experiences, and social justice, all of which influence her distinctive and meaningful designs. Having attended a different school nearly every year and studied abroad in Mexico and Costa Rica, Sonya brings a uniquely diverse perspective to her work. Her creations can be explored at stretchcouture.com and on Instagram at @stretchcouture and @stretchcouturesews.

Lauriana Archibold Cohen, is a Virginia-based fiber artist, designer, and educator whose work blends textiles, storytelling, and sustainability. With an M.F.A. in Visual Arts from a joint program between Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University, she teaches fashion design students and shares her expertise in fiber arts, including crochet and textile construction. Her work is rooted in environmental ethics, transforming traditional techniques into expressive pieces that highlight both craftsmanship and sustainability. Active in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach arts communities, she has participated in local events and previously brought her creative vision to the Fashion Trashion runway as a designer in 2016. She’s collaborating on her design with Lyman Speckheuer, a University of Texas at Austin graduate with over 35 years of experience in art restoration, and enjoys stepping into the creative side of the art world through their work together.

Robyn Kiera Lilly, originally from Cleveland, Ohio and now based in Norfolk, is a fashion designer with over 12 years of experience and a background in fashion design from Kent State University. Her work is deeply inspired by culture, history, and media, with each design serving as a form of expression—pieces she describes as having their own voice that speaks directly to the audience. Robyn brings both creativity and personality to her work, balancing thoughtful design with a love for making people laugh. She also studied abroad in Florence, Italy, further shaping her artistic perspective. Her work can be followed on Instagram at @bellacioccolata.

Willie Hall is an innovative fashion designer whose work blends faith, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose. Her professional experience includes working alongside designer Andre Van Pier and spending over nine seasons behind the scenes with IMG PR, as well as contributing to events such as Project Runway Season 2 with the PR team. Her designs have been featured in publications including Versus VA, Heart & Soul, and Grace Today. Known for creating simple yet elegant pieces, Willie specializes in styling professional women with looks that transition seamlessly from work to evening, empowering them to feel confident, stylish, and expressive. Guided by her belief that “designers are born, not made,” she continues to push the boundaries of her God-given talent through every collection.

The Norfolk Collegiate Costume and Fashion Design Students, based in Norfolk, VA, represent a dynamic new class formed this year in response to student interest in sewing and the growing need for costumes in school productions. Comprised of 14 talented young women with diverse interests ranging from sports and theatre to fashion and hands-on making, many entered the program with little to no prior experience and have since developed foundational skills in sewing, pattern use, and hand construction. Their work centers around sustainability, with a strong focus on repurposing materials—experimenting with techniques like fusing and sewing plastic bags—while exclusively using thrifted or donated supplies and equipment. This collaborative and exploratory environment highlights creativity, resourcefulness, and the power of learning by doing, with their work featured through Norfolk Collegiate’s social media channels.

The Norfolk Collegiate team will design TWO costumes, including one for the OV Sea Hag wizard!

Professor Fashion Design, NSU

Christy is a fashion educator and creative professional with Norfolk State University’s Fashion Program, where she mentors emerging designers and helps guide students as they develop their creative voice and technical skills in fashion design.

Christy also brings firsthand experience with the Fashion Trashion concept, having won first place in the 2016 Fashion Trashion competition for her innovative design created from reclaimed materials. Her work demonstrated how creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability can come together to transform discarded materials into striking wearable art.

With her background in fashion education and design, Christy brings both technical expertise and creative insight to the judging panel. She is excited to help celebrate designers who are reimagining fabric scraps and reclaimed materials into original runway creations for this Earth Day event.

Coastal Virginia Fashionista

Tori is a Virginia fashion stylist, educator, and community leader with a passion for both style and social impact. She serves as a Community Engagement Manager in the Hampton Roads region, where she leads volunteer initiatives, community events, and partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, with a focus on ending human trafficking.

With a background in event planning, retail buying and management, fashion consulting, and collegiate teaching, Tori brings decades of industry experience to her work. She holds multiple degrees in Fashion Marketing and works as an independent personal stylist and TV wardrobe stylist, with a specialty in her signature “wardrobe remix” approach—helping clients restyle what they already own to save money and support sustainability.

A Texas native, she has called Hampton Roads home for more than 30 years.

Norfolk City Councilman, Ocean View

Tommy serves on the Norfolk City Council representing the Ocean View district while also serving as principal of Granby High School. A lifelong Norfolk resident raised in the Ocean View and Bayview communities, he remains deeply committed to strengthening local neighborhoods, supporting students, and building strong community connections.

Before entering public office, Mr. Smigiel built a distinguished career in education with Norfolk Public Schools. His dedication to student success earned him recognition as the 2007 Norfolk Teacher of the Year and the 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year, and he was later selected as one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year, placing him among the nation’s most respected educators.

Mr. Smigiel is also a strong advocate for environmental stewardship and community green spaces. He played an early and active role in helping bring Bay Oaks Park to life in Ocean View, working with community members and supporters to secure funding and support for the park’s development. Today, he continues to champion initiatives that enhance quality of life for Norfolk residents.