Milan, New York, Paris, London and San Francisco's Stonestown Mall -- what do these places have in common? They are venues where fashion designers showcase their latest creations.

On Sunday, May 2, about 150 San Francisco State student models will strut the catwalk at Stonestown Mall, wearing clothing designed by students in the Apparel Design and Merchandising (ADM) program.

"Runway 2004 Kaleidoscope Fashion Event" is a collaborative effort between the Student Fashion Association (SFA) and Apparel Design and Merchandising students. The event is part of an ongoing sponsor partnership between Stonestown Mall and the University.

The theme for this year's fashion show is "Kaleidoscope." The event will showcase the creativity of the design students in producing original pieces that incorporate the colors pink, blue and yellow.

"For years, kaleidoscopes have treated us with shapes and colors working together to create a vision of harmonious and continual allure," said Rudy Valdez, president of SFA. "This year we hope to achieve the same success with our own 'Kaleidoscope,' that of the fashion designs and creations of our fellow students."

This is a fully student-run event, with more than 200 students involved, including models, designers and merchandisers.

"The main objective of this event is to highlight student work, both in design and production," said Connie Ulasewicz, assistant professor in the ADM program. "This is an opportunity for students to take their classroom knowledge onto the runway."

The show will begin at 7.30 p.m. on Sunday at Stonestown Mall in San Francisco. Tickets cost $3 for students with I.D. and $5 for general admission and will be sold at the door.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales of the show will be donated to "A Miner Miracle," a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that provides professional clothing and image counseling to low-income men, women and young adults seeking employment.

Previous Stonestown contributions to the University community include a $10,000 Endowment Fund for students studying apparel design and merchandising. In addition, Stonestown offers fashion merchandising students portfolio-building opportunities through ongoing merchant display projects.

For more information, contact the SFA at (415) 564-8848, e-mail sfa@sfsu.edu or visit the Stonestown Mall Web site.

-- Public Affairs Student Writer Audrey Tang with Christina Holmes