Ever wonder how designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Donna Karan, Anna Sui, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore and Reem Acra got started? They all have one thing in common—they went to school to study fashion first; specifically they all went to either Parsons or the Fashion Institute of Technology.

For the last twelve years the two schools have challenged each other in a competitive fashion show known as Fusion. The director of the show, Jimmy Ramey, started Fusion when he was an Resident Assistant at one of the Parsons dormitories.  Ramey got FIT involved, and it became a competition.

The show features about 30 young designers, most of whom are freshman and sophomores. The show features both menswear and women’s wear. This year’s show should be particularly interesting as it serves as a tie breaker, both schools have won six shows.

The show takes place at Parsons in the same space the Lifetime television show, Project Runway is filmed and will be judged this year by Todd Thomas, creative consultant at Victoria’s Secret; Joshua McKinley, runner up on season nine of Project Runway; Carole Hochmann, a women’s intimates designer; Fabiola Arias, womenswear designer and winner of the 2011 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award, and Teen Vogue.

Past judges have included Cynthia Rowley, Tara Subkoff, Prabal Gurung, Chris Benz and Mary Kate Steinmiller.

Prabal Gurung won Fusion in its first year, and got a job with Cynthia Rowley afterwards because of what she saw in the show. Chris Benz and Alexander Wang also both were in Fusion while at Parsons and current judge, Joshua McKinley participated when he was a student.

Unlike many fashion shows, you don’t have be a buyer or editor to go, (but we will be there) anyone can get tickets for ten dollars by e-mailing fusionfashionshow@yahoo.com.

The shows will take place on March 3rd and 4th, at 2, 5, and 8, and 2 and 6 respectively, at 560 7th Avenue, at 40th Street. For more information about Fusion, visit fusionfashionshow.com.