Students at Miami's Design and Architecture Senior High are getting ready for their first full-fledged fashion show this Saturday. They have been preparing their collections from scratch, designing, selecting fabrics, cutting, sewing and hemming to present them at an open school evening. It is meant to emulate what goes on in the real world of high style and fashion, giving prospective couture designers exposure to experiences that tend to define this competitive industry.

Indeed, the spirit is full of excitement a few days before the big event, as utterly dedicated students work day and night to see to every single detail of their projects. Even though there is no official competition, everyone exudes professionalism and wants things done to the highest possible standard. Part of this motivation comes from the fact that the collection they are about to display is going to be, in most cases, the key to their careers. They will use it to get places at top design schools or get jobs with fashion companies or elsewhere in the business.

Each students needs to manufacture their own collection with a minimum of three full outfits, working from beginning to end with their own ideas, under supervision of their teacher. They are entitled to basic tools and supplies, like thread or needles, but most of them invest a lot of time and money to find ideal fabrics and other materials that match their ambitious concepts. Inspiration for their collections comes from a variety of sources and reflects their character, heritage and outlook on life.

For most of DASH students the Saturday show is going to be the first serious step on their career path that, if everything goes according to plan, can take them as far as luxury Miami Beach hotels and beyond.