By Erica Aldridge
Editor’s note: This article ran in Issue 11 as a precede to the fashion show which took place March 2. Further coverage of the fashion show will be posted.
The Fashion Merchandising and Design program will be hosting their annual fashion show on Friday, March 2 in the Polsky Theatre. This year the students chose to title the show “Modern Vision.”
Starting out as a small scale show with a runway set up in the Commons building, the fashion show has grown over its 40 years and now holds two separate show times in the Polsky Theatre. Twenty students in the Fashion Design program will be showing an average of five pieces in this year’s show.
“It’s open to any students in the program,” said Britt Benjamin, assistant professor of Fashion Merchandising and Design. “If [the students] feel they have strong sewing skills they’ll do it in their first semester.”
Fashion design students are encouraged to begin thinking about how they will put together a line during their entry level apparel construction classes. In November, designers are asked to sign up, submit illustrations and estimate the number of garments they will make. Designers then immediately get to work by finding inspiration and beginning to create their garments.
“My inspiration was the takeover of machines and the effect that it would have on nature,” said Samantha Dawdy, student designer. “My fabrics are inspired by tree bark, while harsh details, such as industrial zippers and leather signify the parts of the tree that have been transformed into machinery.”
About six weeks before the show, a jury of fashion merchandising and design professors meet with each designer individually and give them feedback about their work.
“We maintain the right to be able to eliminate a look for the show,” said Joan McCrillis, chair of the Fashion Merchandising and Design program. “We are not looking for perfection, but we’re looking something that represents the student’s talent.”
Although the instructors have the ultimate say, the students are still encouraged to use their own originality and creativity in their designs.
“There is always an approval process,” McCrillis said. “But we want the designer to feel the freedom to show their vision.”
As the day of the show moves closer, students begin selecting models and picking what music will play. Students also must decide whether they want their collection to be judged. If they do decide to be judged and their collection scores well, they are rewarded with a scholarship. The student’s work is judged based on the wear-ability and the construction of the garments.
“This is my first time ever being in the fashion show,” Dawdy said. “I am nervous, but so excited to see how my pieces will look walking down the runway.”
Tickets for the noon and 7 p.m. showing are on sale at the box office for anyone who would like to attend. Tickets are $5 for students and employees of the college. For the general public, tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Contact Erica Aldridge, copy editor, at ealdridg@jccc.edu.