Lunar Gala was originally created in 1997 to ring in the Chinese New Year, or more generally referred to as the Lunar New Year. The New Year cycles through 12 animal signs and celebrates good fortune and prosperity. As a part of the celebration, it is customary to wear new clothes which has inspired our fashion show. Since its inception, Lunar Gala has transformed into a highly anticipated event that hundreds hope to be part of and thousands hope to come see.

Now, Lunar Gala is arguably one of the largest fashion events in Pittsburgh, having sold out nearly 1100 seats each year with 140+ students involved in producing, designing, modeling, and dancing in the show. Students across all majors and cultures create original and creative lines, infusing technology and complex materials with wearable fashion. Last year, 17 design teams created nearly 150 looks that incorporated mood sensing Intel chips, glow-in the dark resin, sheet metal, and much more reflecting the culture, technology, and reactions to current events in society.

In recent years, Lunar Gala has been able to branch out into the greater Pittsburgh community and collaborate with local creatives.

Although Lunar Gala has developed into a much larger production, it stays true to its original intent. Every year, the theme of the show is centered around the Zodiac animal of the lunar calendar.
This year is our 24th year, marking the completion of our second Lunar cycle with the year of the Rat.

The Rat is the first of the 12 animal signs, and therefore symbolizes leadership, resourcefulness, excitability, and adventure. The year of the Rat also signifies new beginnings, with this year being the year of the Metal Rat. The element of metal adds emotional intensity, as well as an orientation towards progress and innovation.

Producers -
Ugne Ziausyte and Michael Powell
cmu.lunargala@gmail.com

Head of Model -
Julianne Sanscartier
models@lunargala.org

Head of Design -
Sebastian Carpenter
design@lunargala.org

Head of Creative and Public Relations -
Jonathan Perez
pr@lunargala.org
creative@lunargala.org

Co-Heads of Entertainment -
Abigail Stevenson and Emily Wein
entertainment@lunargala.org

Co-Heads of Production -
Gabriel Marchant and Daniel Lesh
production@lunargala.org





LUNAR GALA
LUNAR GALA