Dominican Students Dazzle at 2026 Driehaus Fashion Awards, Taking Home Top Honors

Both students also received monetary prizes for their award-winning work.

Mendell described her collection as an exploration of “the beauty of women through transparency, structure and softness.” Her work highlights movement and light, emphasizing clean lines and thoughtful detailing to create a modern interpretation of timeless elegance.

“I am beyond honored to have had four of my looks featured in the Driehaus Fashion Awards fashion show and even more grateful to have received the awards for Best Construction and Top Designer,” Mendell said. “This experience has meant so much to me, and I could not have done it without the constant support from my family, friends, professors and everyone who has encouraged me throughout this journey.”

Galvan’s collection, “Uprooted,” embodies resilience through rich textures and earthy tones and was created during a year marked by heightened uncertainty within immigrant communities, when many families were facing displacement and separation from loved ones. Drawing from her immigrant family background, Galvan’s designs embody “both fragility and strength through surface design, crochet techniques and intentionality.”

“Through crochet and the symbolism of nature, I wanted to merge my fear into hope,” Galvan said. “This collection was personal and cathartic, and I can’t explain how much it means to me to be recognized in this way.”

“I’m especially proud to see Emma Mendell and Allison Galvan recognized with these awards,” said Antonella Fonseca, fashion lecturer at Dominican University and faculty advisor for the 2026 Spring Fashion Show.

Both students’ collections were previously presented in April at Dominican’s Spring Fashion Show. Mendell not only featured her work as a senior designer but also contributed to the production of the show, Fonseca added.

Fonseca also worked with Galvan in previous courses and noted the recent graduate expanded her design practice and experience during her senior year.

Garments from 2026 DU graduates Paola Versari, Ellery Shea, Natalie Mixon and Geanna Luna were also showcased at the fashion awards.

“This year, the Dominican students who participated in the Driehaus Fashion Awards represented an exceptional group of emerging designers,” Fonseca said. “Recognition through the Driehaus Fashion Awards gives our students meaningful visibility, but it also confirms what they have already begun to prove through their work: they are ready to enter professional spaces with confidence and purpose.”

The Driehaus Fashion Awards featured students from Dominican University, The School of the Art Institute and Columbia College Chicago. Hosted annually by the Driehaus Design Initiative, the fashion awards promote recognition of designers’ work and help establish connections within the fashion industry.

A recording of the 2026 Driehaus Fashion Awards is available to watch here.

About Dominican University
Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution with campuses in River Forest and Chicago. The university offers an associate of arts in liberal arts and sciences; bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the Rosary College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, the College of Business, Information Studies, and Technology, and the Borra College of Health Sciences; as well as doctoral programs in information studies, applied social justice and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

As Chicago's premier Catholic Hispanic-Serving Institution, Dominican is consistently recognized as a leader in academic excellence and value. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dominican University in the top 25 of Midwest regional master’s level universities, and #1 in Illinois for Best Value and ensuring the social mobility of its graduates.