Sitting behind a sewing machine, amid knit fabrics, naked mannequins, faded music and a room filled with concentration, apparel design and merchandising major Christina Iskandar carefully works on a jacket piece for her collection.

It was just two years ago, when she was one semester away from graduating from SF State with a degree in finance, when she decided to follow her passion.

“I just couldn’t do [finance] anymore,” said Iskandar, 24. “I love art, I love to draw and [fashion] is something that I’ve always loved.”

Iskandar is one of nearly 50 designers that will be showcasing their line at Runway Revolution 2008, a fashion show by SF State apparel design and merchandising students in collaboration with the Student Fashion Association on May 14.

For Iskandar, this is a chance to show off the reason for her passion and the drastic change in direction she took.

“I have to make a big statement to my family that this is what I want to do,” Iskandar said.

Iskandar’s eight-piece collection is inspired by menswear, but will include touches of feminine elements, including her version of a woman’s must-have little black dress that she never owned, she said.

According to SFA president Matthew Paul Robinson, the student organization puts on two fashion shows a year, one in the fall and one in the spring.

“The one in the fall is a fraction of what the spring one is,” Robinson said.

According to Erica Dong, 24, the public relations coordinator, the theme of Runway Revolution 2008 is inspired by changes happening in society.

“2008 is going to be a big year in fashion, politics and the world in general,” Robinson said.

The clothes at Runway Revolution 2008, according to Robinson, will present a variety of different individual designs from collections made from upholstery fabrics to Disney princess-inspired pieces.

As SFA president and a designer himself, Robinson feels the pressure of being on top of the process, but manages to keep everything under control.

“The entire process is not easy at all. As a designer, there’s a constant voice in my head asking, ‘Is it good enough?’” Robinson said. “The show has to represent SF State and SFA appropriately to encourage designers to do their absolute best and make sure the audience gets what they paid for.”

For fashion show first-timer Jasmine Gonzalez, the process of putting together a line could be overwhelming.

“It’s a lot of work,” said Gonzalez, 23. “I didn’t expect it to be this much work, but it’s always fulfilling once you actually have the garment on a person.”

On top of six classes, Gonzalez plays an active role in SFA, and is participating in Runway Revolution 2008 with a total of six pieces to build a portfolio since she will be graduating in fall, she said.

Her 1960s, mod, Twiggy-style line is made up of the classic black and white color palette with a reinvention of the high collar look from that decade.

“I’m going to do the modern take on what mod is and try to reinvent that,” Gonzalez said.

For 21-year-old Lauryn Varnum, Runway Revolution 2008 will be her fourth fashion show at SF State.

“I think the fashion show is a good jumping ground and networking position,” Varnum said. “I know that there are people from the industry that are coming to see everything, so that’s good.”

As she pins and drapes purple fabric of chiffon blend, creating another piece to add to her time-traveling collection, Varnum maps the mannequin body with familiarity.

“I have different pieces that represent different periods of fashion,” Varnum said. “The one underlining theme has always been body consciousness—always keeping the figure in mind.”

Along with a 1960s-inspired floral print mini-dress made of silk and a 1970s outfit with a loose, backless top and denim bell-bottoms with the words “Get Down” printed on the back pockets, Varnum will present a light blue sheer overlay with cream colored base fabric made up of 30 yards as her final dress.

According to apparel design and merchandising major Ashley Gill, who will showcase her geometric shapes and color-inspired collection, the spring fashion show will have an array of individual looks.

“There will be lines of six garments, 260 looks, plus industrial garments,” said Gill, 23.

According to Robinson, Runway Revolution 2008 will be fierce.

“It’s not like other fashion shows,” Robinson said. “The different garments in the show is probably one of the best aspects.”

A percentage of the proceeds from the show will go toward Visions of La Moda, a nonprofit, San Francisco-based fashion studio for youth.

“All the hard work will be paid off when the show begins,” Robinson said. “Everybody will see the efforts pay off.”

Runway Revolution 2008 will take place May 14 in Creative Art’s McKenna Theatre on the SF State campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the McKenna Theatre box office or via phone, Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at (415) 338-2467.