FINAL FRIDAY FASHION SHOWS
Final Friday Fashion Shows have been put on hold until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience!
Our nonprofit is to Inspire Creativity. The shows are open to established designers, beginner designers, and students along with hair and makeup artists, photographers, and press.
Shows are voluntary. All photos must be put in MDfin drop box and shared with all participants, FREE.
Fashion Designers, students, family and friends, models, photographers, makeup hair artists, social media influencers, and press are all welcome free. There are a limited number of chairs as specified by the fire marshal. Parking is free and right outside the building.
We provide a backdrop and lighting for photos before and after the models walk, a 20 foot raised runway, and about 20 chairs for the audience. There is a kitchen, a bar, and 6 bathrooms.
WHERE
Shows take place in the building that houses both DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum and Maryland Fashion Institute at 8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia, MD 21045. Phone 301 725 5555. The building is ADA compliant. DoodleHATCH has many fun interactive installations that make great photo and video opportunities.
WHEN
The event is 6-9 pm on the last Friday of the month starting August 28th, 2026.
The runway show is 7 pm to 7:30 pm.
The hour before is for makeup, hair, dressing the models, and some photography. The time after is for additional photography, networking, and selling to the customers you have invited.
We recommend any models that need to practice on the runway or need extra time for fittings arrive at 5 pm.
The Final Friday Fashion Shows continue on September 25th, October 30th, November 27th, no show in December, January 29th 2027, February 26th, March 26th, April 30th, May 28th, June 25th, etc.
PARTICIPATION
Each designer or design student, once selected for a particular show date, may put up to 5 complete looks down the runway. These looks can be layered. Designers may bring their own photographer, models, hair and makeup people, or work with any of the volunteer participants. We ask their additional folks to sign up for the same day, so we have a record of who is coming so we can comply with fire marshal regulations.
Volunteers who want to 'help' are most welcome. Sign up for the dates you can come.
Designers and other volunteers may sign up for more than one event. We will confirm your participation.
Designers get access to a rolling rack to organize their clothes. There is a table for accessories. We have lots of jewelry, bags, and hats. An assistant to manage the accessories is recommended.
Models must be clean and fresh, so the designer's clothes do not have any odors after the event. Perfumes are discouraged. Nude colored underwear including a nude strapless bra is recommended. Beginner models will receive some training on 'walking' and taking off a layer at the far end before returning to the starting point. They may also receive guidance during photography to show off the clothes and themselves.
Photographers may use our studio or set up their own. There is room and one electrical outlet each for two additional 'set ups', ideally one with a black backdrop, to supplement our white paper backdrop and our greenscreen. Bring your own extension cords with multiple outlets as required. Photographers may receive guidance on fashion photography if they wish.
FEES
Designers pay $100. The audience is free. The building, 20 ft long raised runway, chairs and basic photography are all provided by MDfin. Participants are welcome to bring wine, beer, sodas and snacks (not messy) but cannot charge for them. These may be provided free to your models, etc. The audience does not need to be included, but it is a nice thought, particularly if you want to sell to them!
SELLING
MDfin encourages selling and does NOT take a fee or any percentage of sales. Orders may also be taken, along with whatever deposit you require. Designers may wish to have a designated person to take money via Zelle, etc.
Clothes must be made or upcycled by the designer and not made by a third party, or offshore.
LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE OR SOCIAL MEDIA
MDfin will include a link to your website or social media on our website once you have participated in a show.
Links will be removed if there are any complaints about inappropriate behavior towards models, or ethical issues such as non-delivery of orders.
GETTING STARTED
Sign up with your skill set. Send MDfin some photos of your skill set - volunteering, designing and sewing garments, hair, makeup or photography and one or two paragraphs about yourself. Choose a date(s) you are available. Let us know if you have specific others that you want to work with. Have them sign up for the same date.