New York–based Designer to Showcase Collection at Finale Runway Show and Appear at Philanthropy Meets Fashion
(PRUnderground) September 2nd, 2025
The Columbus Fashion Council (CFC) announced today that Samantha Black, founder and designer of Sammy B, will headline the 16th annual Finale Runway Show during Fashion Week Columbus. Her celebrity-favorite designs have been worn by Beyoncé, Rihanna, Gabrielle Union, Nicki Minaj, and Keke Palmer. Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program of the CFC. The Finale Runway Show will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 8pm to 10pm at The Hilton Downtown, with a VIP reception beginning at 6pm. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at www.FashionWeekColumbus.org.
Known for creating statement-making looks, Black rose to international recognition as a contestant on Project Runway Season 11 and later on Project Runway All Stars. A graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, she honed her skills at Alexander McQueen’s design studio in London before launching her own label. Today, Sammy B is celebrated for its feminine aesthetic with an eclectic edge, blending bold detail with effortless wearability for the modern woman. In 2023, Black further expanded her influence with a nationwide Sammy B x Target collection for the retailer’s Black History Month campaign.
In addition to headlining the Finale Runway Show, Black will also be featured at Philanthropy Meets Fashion on Thursday, September 18, from 6pm to 9pm at the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) Canzani Center. At the event, she will sit down for a candid conversation about her journey from Project Runway to dressing global superstars, while sharing advice with emerging designers and fashion students, highlighting FWC’s commitment to education and community impact. Tickets for this event are free and can be reserved at fashionweekcolumbus.org.
“Samantha Black is more than a designer, she’s a movement,” said Thomas McClure, founder of the Columbus Fashion Council and Fashion Week Columbus. “Her work embodies confidence, edge, and individuality, the same spirit that drives Fashion Week Columbus. Having Sammy B on our runway gives Columbus a front-row seat to one of the most powerful voices in fashion today, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
“I design for the women who break rules, chase dreams, and turn heads without asking permission,” said Black. “Sammy B has always been about unapologetic confidence and eclectic style, and I can’t wait to bring that energy to Columbus. Fashion Week Columbus is the perfect stage to celebrate individuality and showcase how fearless fashion can be.”
Fashion Week Columbus runs September 14–20, 2025. For more information, including a full list of events and details on how to purchase tickets or become a sponsor, please visit https://fashionweekcolumbus.org.
Fashion Week Columbus continues to position Central Ohio as a fashion-forward destination, ranking third in the nation for resident fashion designers, behind only New York and Los Angeles.
ABOUT SAMMY B
Founded by Samantha Black in New York City, Sammy B is a women’s ready-to-wear line known for its feminine aesthetic with an eclectic edge. Combining bold details, clean lines, and effortless versatility, Sammy B has become the “It Girl’s” brand of choice, seen on red carpets, runways, and in collaborations such as the 2023 Sammy B x Target collection. For more information, visit sammybdesigns.com.
About Columbus Fashion Council
About Columbus Fashion Council
The Columbus Fashion Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide scholarships to fashion design students and a platform for local designers. Our vision is to expand the fashion economy in Central Ohio through creative programming, community partnerships, and industry growth initiatives including Fashion Week Columbus, The Fashion Industry Conference, Columbus Fashion Awards, The Fashion Presentations, Common Thread Shops on Third, and more. www.ColumbusFashionCouncil.org
About Fashion Week Columbus
Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council, dedicated to showcasing emerging fashion designers through a full week of shows and programs. Since 2010, FWC has provided a platform for 220+ designers and 2,000+ models, awarded over $65,000 in scholarships, and produced more than 200 fashion shows. www.FashionWeekColumbus.com
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