A heavy bass beat filled Cardinal Hall as models for this semester’s Fashion Promotion class practiced stomping it out down the runway.
While the Fashion Promotion class buzzed around making last minute adjustments, months of preparation and hard work began to come together.
Decorated with antique sewing machines and industrial spools, the stage was concentrated in the center of two chain-linked fences woven with an assortment of colorful pieces of fabric. Behind the decorated fences were two large screens displaying names of designers.
After bringing in additional chairs for the audience consisting of students, faculty and families of designers, the lights dimmed and the show’s coordinators stepped on stage to introduce the “Made in the Midwest” fashion show, which raised money for Second Harvest Food Bank.
Eleven designers displayed their work as student models strutted down the black, wooden runway to music courtesy of DJ Epilep C.
Every designer showed a different perspective and aesthetic with each piece. One highlight was the white and burgundy chevron mini dress designed by senior apparel design major Alyssa Marcheleta.
“The chevron dress was from class a year ago,” Marcheleta said. “It took a very, very long time, and I had really high aspirations for it. I had to re-do it twice. It’s the first dress I ever designed and cut a pattern for myself.”
The show closed with senior apparel design major Jocelyn Causillas’ children’s collection. Featuring a tailored green pea coat and color blocked dresses, these garments reflected a sense of refinement that ascended that of the average toddler’s wardrobe.
“People were telling me, ‘Why aren’t you putting little ladybugs and butterflies on your clothes?’” Causilla said. “And I didn’t want to do that because I wanted them to look like mature little kid clothes. I kept thinking that I wanted to design something that Suri Cruise would wear.”
The models’ manicures were a collaboration between students and a local business and highlighted the theme of the show. Incorporating independent designers from the Midwest area, the Fashion Promotion class worked with Muncie’s Pretty and Polished to create a nail lacquer specifically for the show.
Chelsea Marie, the owner of Pretty and Polished, said she pulled inspiration from the show’s posters. The lacquer, called Steampunk, was a soft cool grey with pops of yellow, magenta and cyan glitter.
Though Diana Winkler, a senior fashion merchandising major, said the show was a general success, she said she especially enjoyed the music.
“God, I loved the DJ,” Winkler said. “I mean that music was really, really good, so that was probably my favorite part.”
Marcheleta said she was glad she suggested DJ Epilep C as the music provider.
“He’s been my best friend for five years, so I’m really excited that people liked him,” Marcheleta said.
Paula Sampson, a family and consumer sciences assistant professor, agreed the show was a success, but she said it was because of more than just the entertainment aspect. Though she said she did not yet know the amount of money raised for Second Harvest, she believed it was a “substantial amount.”
She also said the show was successful in teaching her students about working in the real world.
“They learned certainly teamwork, and I think they got a better idea of what it’s like to put on a fashion show,” Sampson said. “I think the show went well. We didn’t have any problems ahead of time, and it ran very smoothly.”
