What is fashion? Throughout history, the fashion industry has idolized a certain aesthetic: waifish, white, and cis hetero. By centering only people who fit this description, the industry has been guilty of shaming real people. In the past, fashion reflected and influenced peoples’ desires, but the goal of this year’s ECE 1007 fashion show was to change that!
Through a month and a half of hard work, students led each other not only in creating an event but giving it meaning. Together, along with their instructor Dr. Shivers, these fashionistas transformed a bare office building into a magical sartorial show of epic proportions.
Beginning with a comedic sketch reflecting a realistic school experience, the fashion show highlighted each and every one of the students in the class, celebrating a wide variety of body types, ethnicities, and personal styles. Jariana Mojica (playing Mr. Mojica, a nod to a former principal), was the emcee who introduced each self-styled model as they sashayed down the runway to self-selected music.
Canvassing the crowd on sneaker-skates was Sap Mansfield, adorned in their custom bedazzled elbow and kneepads. Skating through the hallway/runway they ripped up their homework with dramatic flair and helped ramp up the excitement for the show. The crowd went wild! First was Elise Snow, in her billowy white sundress, ushering in springtime vibes; the authenticity of this model really set the tone. Next, there were a few models in hoodies and sweatpants, keeping it real. Androgynous outfits were another feature of the show, celebrating the diversity of gender identities in GHAA Full Day and beyond, and being their authentic selves in a time when it’s becoming harder to do so. To close out the show, Ednelis Carratini-Guzman sashayed down the runway in a deep turquoise dress from the 2024 prom season, fully bedazzled in sequins and featuring a corset-style back.
Throughout the entire show, the unmitigated joy was palpable. In attendance was pretty much the entirety of CREC Central, along with the majority of the student body and staff. All around were audience members taking photographs, videos, and screaming at the top of their lungs. The energy in the room was truly special.
The final flourish of the show featured the words “You Are Fashion” on the backs of each model, underscoring the theme of the show: each and every one of us is beautiful.
