Fashion show story - March 2008

Array of student collections fill runway
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 03/31/2008

A "zebra" stomped down the runway to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," wearing a teal and black zebra print dress.

The Purdue Fashion Association transformed the Shively Media Center at Ross-Ade Saturday into a fashion experience with loud music, imaginative themes and lots of attitude.

Rachel Crawford, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences named her collection "Desert Oasis" and transformed each of her dresses into a different animal, sending a zebra, tiger, cheetah, frog, snake and gecko down the runway.

Each designer carefully planned poses, walking speed and facial expressions in order to add to the overall theme of their designs.

Kat Goodrich, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, paired her "Harlow" inspired collection titled "Galactic Lagoon" with black bobbed wigs and leopard with denim.

"I really liked the attitudes of the models, her collection was fun and very Dita Von Teese," said Ryan Evans, a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts.

Upon entering the Shively Media Center, the rhythmic techno music and winding runway that ran through the center of the entire room set a scene of creativity and originality that continued to be a recurring theme with every model and song change.

Aja Aktay, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences chose to highlight her tie-dyed racerback jumper and classic wide leg jeans with a rhythmic percussionist to further emphasize her bold color choices.

"Her music was the most original with the live drummer," said Lexie Hall, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts, about her favorite collection.

Some of the students were awarded for their hard work during the show. Stephanie Gabourel, a sophomore in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, was awarded the academic achievement award and hopes that her studies will lead to a future career in the industry.

"I'm planning on going to FIT in New York next year," Gabourel said. "I know this is a long shot, but I eventually want to work with Jean Paul Gaultier and design coats."

The show was professional with a playful twist, and some of the designs were fantasy-like while others were ready-to-wear.

"My line was inspired by the '80s and roller derby," said Monica Chambless, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences. "It was designed to be a line for American Apparel, and we actually got them to donate material."

Each student has been working on their designs for the majority of the year; and after long hours and careful planning they finally got to see their designs walk the runway.

"The general rule of thumb is to take the X amount of hours intended for a design and times it by four," Chambless said. "You just have to plan for things to go wrong."