The Arcata Arts Institute (AAI) showcased the 19th production of the Flow Fashion Show on May 16th 2026 . Two shows, a Matinee at 2:00, followed by an evening showing at 7:00, were held in the Fine Arts Building to display original work from AAI students.
In 2021, I was in eighth grade while my older brother was attending Arcata High/ My mom asked me if I wanted to go to a fashion show run by the school. Ever since attending that show, I have wanted to be a part of it.
I am now a senior, and up until this year I have not had time to commit to being a designer. I had only modeled for the show, but I finally got the chance to participate in this amazing program.
The AAI Flow class is an incredible opportunity for so many students, this year the class consists of 13 designers; Catherine Arafat, Annabelle Brunner, Liana Chin, Tatum Dick, Toby Hurst, Ilana Maclay, Meta Nave, Ari Niles, Christian Rose, Jocelyn Soderfelt, Laurel Straka, Lilah Talbert and myself.
Designers shared that a common love for this production is the creative freedom of it. You get to express yourself and your interests through clothes and share those visions with everyone.
I have watched everyone in my class progress so much in their work, some having years of experience, some learning as they go, and all of them turning out amazing. It’s so beautiful getting to see the process of everybody’s lines, from concept drawings, to picking fabrics and materials, to a full outfit with so much personality in it.
Many designers and models expressed how nervous they were that they would mess up, or something would go wrong. “Everyone else in there is going to be worrying about the same things,…we’ll all be there to support each other,” said Senior Meta Nave, a third-time designer. Senior and first-time model, Klyie Lusk stated that “It is not nerve-wracking, you are just showing off someone’s work”
The show was absolutely incredible, everybody did such an amazing job, all of the work that was put into it truly paid off. All of the designers and their models committed many afternoons, followed by an entire day starting at 9:00 in the morning, to perfecting their poses and walks, knowing their cues, and accentuating the outfits they were put in.
The experience of getting to work backstage and bond with others who are as committed to fashion and design is so fun and I highly recommend people put themselves out there and participate in this amazing program. “Something I’ll remember for the rest of my life” is how Skyler May, a Senior and first-time model described his time during Flow.