Before the runway lights up and seats fill with audience members, the stage inside the Student Union Ballroom is already in motion for designers and models.

Heels click across the floor during walkthroughs. Garments are adjusted between runs. Hair and makeup teams move constantly, touching up looks as models prepare to step onto the runway.

For many involved in the Textiles, Merchandising and Design program’s annual fashion show, “Galleries in Motion,” the behind-the-scenes work is just as important as what the audience sees.

Senior apparel design major Lily Cross knows this sentiment well.

“This show is expected to be put on at a professional level,” Cross said. “It’s a real challenge for students, but everyone who’s involved is really passionate about it, so we really bring it and make it professional.”

Cross is not only presenting her own collection — she’s also a part of the Fashion Show Production class responsible for building the entire event from the ground up in a single semester.

“When we start, we start with nothing,” Cross said. “We kind of went in… sink or swim, and we just figure it out because we have to.”

That process stretches far beyond design. Students coordinate across disciplines, relying on campus connections to bring the show together.

“A lot of that is through student networking,” Cross said. “Our class has not been scared to reach out to different programs for their involvement.”

That collaboration is visible during rehearsal, where designers, models and production teams all share the same space for the first time.

For models Abigail Aries and Olivia Moreno, preparation started early in the semester but built gradually over time.

After workouts at MTSU’s Recreation Center, the pair would head upstairs to a dance room, practicing their walks in heels. Fittings with Cross happened every few weeks, slowly shaping the final look.

Altogether, the time commitment added up — even if it didn’t match the designers’ workload.

“Maybe like 10 hours,” Moreno said.

“Definitely nothing comparable to Lily,” Aries added.

Still, rehearsal day is where everything begins to click.

“If we didn’t do today, then tomorrow would be really bad,” Cross said. “It’s a lot different seeing it on paper than actually doing it.”

The day starts with a casual walkthrough, allowing models to get comfortable on stage and understand spacing. From there, it shifts into a full dress rehearsal, where detailed, delicate garments finally move the way they were intended.

“A lot of these garments are very ornate,” Cross said. “Doing a walkthrough in those… you start to figure out what is good for the garment.”

For the models, the rehearsal is about more than just hitting marks. It’s about stepping into character.

“Some designers have told a story through their pieces,” Moreno said. “We each have a different character.”

Aries described her look as a knight-inspired design, drawing from medieval armor and historical figures like Joan of Arc. Moreno’s character leans more ethereal, inspired by romantic, fantasy aesthetics.

“It helps you get into character on stage to do it once before,” Moreno said.

That storytelling element is what Cross hopes audiences take away — that the garments are more than just outfits.

“When you see the outfits, they just look like clothing,” Cross said. “But really it’s a lot of hard work and creative passion. It means a lot to the people who make it. It’s art, not just clothing.”

The rehearsal serves to settle nerves, sharpen movements, memorize marks and much more. That transformation makes the final show more special.

“I’m super happy and excited to be a part of this,” Aries said. “It’s been a really fun time.”

And for Cross, the goal is simple: get people in the room.

“Come to the fashion show,” she said. “When are you going to get to go to a fashion show?”

TXMD’s runway show, “Galleries in Motion,” will take place Saturday, April 18. Doors open at 4 p.m., with the show starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are available on MTSU’s website.

To contact the features editor, email [email protected].

For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, and follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on X and Instagram at @mtsusidelines. Also, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.