Strike a pose

Last Friday, the ballroom at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center was packed solid for the eighth annual student-run fashion show. The show, which showcased outfits designed by juniors and seniors in Oregon State University’s professional apparel design program, featured men and women of all ages walking down the runway.

Students in Marianne Egan’s DHE 422 class designed the outfits being showcased at the show, many of which won awards.  This year’s show was circus-themed, with carousel animals from the Albany Carousel Museum on display at the end of the runway.

“The show is for people in apparel design, which is the capstone for their education,” said Shavone Shumacher, director of the Oregon State Fashion Show.

According to Shumacher, the 22 female students who modeled in the show were chosen after tryouts held the first week of winter term. The designers who had children model their clothing had to find their own models.

As the show progressed, the designer’s names flashed on the projector as models for each designer walked individually up and down the runway. Once all the models for one designer had walked independently, they appeared in a group at the end of the runway.

About halfway through the show, acrobatic performances were given by gymnasts. Once the gymnastic performances were finished, the show continued on, with models walking up and down the runway for each designer as they did before.

“Each model models for about five to seven designers,” said John Hadden, a volunteer at the fashion show.

Models showcased several different themes as well, from lingerie to prom dresses, from sportswear to children’s wear. “We have 36 wonderful collections, and each collection is unique as an act in a circus,” Schumacher said.

After the show concluded, all the models walked onto the runway together. Each of the designers then appeared on the runway with one of their models. Following the conclusion, awards were given. Both juniors and seniors were given awards in several categories, including: runway to store, most innovative, most creative, and best in show.

Preparation for the fashion show was a long and difficult process. “It took us two terms — winter and spring,” said Dominique Loberg, a designer committee member and apparel design and merchandising management major. “It’s exciting to see it all come together.”  
Vinay Ramakrishnan, reporter
news@dailybarometer.com
On Twitter: @VinayPDX