Get ready, fashion lovers — over 15 talented Fanshawe fashion design students' designs will hit the catwalk for the annual Unbound fashion show on April 9.

This year, the show will present designs for spring/summer 2012. The theme is film noir, but with a modern twist. "It has a primal edge to it, which is a big trend in terms of clothing forecasting," said Jaclyn Hall, executive director of Unbound and third-year student in the program. The stage will help to set the mood, with fringe curtains, chandeliers and live music from a piano player. "It'll be a dark, eerie sort of rustic Hollywood," added Hall.

The show represents months of hard work by the third-year fashion design students and faculty.

"It's kind of like having two jobs because the program itself is very time-consuming," said Hall. "It's a very busy semester."

Besides organizing and raising funds for Unbound over the past semester, each student has been working to create a collection consisting of five looks for the show. According to Hall, students can present up to 12 separate garments altogether.

The third-year students will get a little help on the day of the show. "All the first- and second-years volunteer at the show as dressers and ushers. They kind of get a sense of what the show's like before they plan it themselves," said Hall. She remembered helping out with Unbound in previous years. "I remember thinking, 'This is very professional. It doesn't feel like a college show.' It just keeps getting better every year."

"For us third-year students, the show is very important to us. It is what we feel will probably make or break us in the industry," she said.

The garments seen in Unbound will be evaluated by a jury of leaders in the Canadian fashion industry, including acclaimed fashion designer David Dixon, fashion blogger Lisa Butler, Toronto Fashion Incubator's Gail McInnes, Flare magazine's Erin O'Brien and more. Others on the guest list include representatives from magazines, sourcing companies for fabrics, retail companies and other influential people from around town.

Another way the class is showing off their talents is in the Unbound magazine. "(Photographer John Sayer-White) has been kind enough to take us under his wing. He really sees potential in the Fanshawe program," said Hall. Sayer-White collaborated with Unbound to create the magazine, which contains his editorial photos of the students' designs.

The show takes place April 9 at Museum London. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8. Tickets are $45 and seating is limited. Visit tinyurl.com/fashionunbound for more information or to purchase tickets.