Models showcase student fashion designs in show

Dave Brunner/Staff writer PASSION FOR FASHION: Designers for the Purdue Fashion Association's fashion show make adjustments to the clothing that the student models showcased on Saturday night.

By David Brunner
Staff Writer

Saturday night the Purdue Memorial Union smelled like baby powder and was filled with 35 or so half-naked models. This was not a gathering of local exhibitionists; it was the Purdue Fashion Association's annual spring fashion show, "Rhythm of the Runway."

The consumer and family sciences and apparel technology students who organized and designed garments for the show held in the PMU South Ballroom have worked all year for the opportunity to showcase their fashion designs.

Sadie Tapper, the president of the Purdue Fashion Association and a junior in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences is very proud of the success of this sold-out presentation.

"We have been working hard since last August," Tapper said. "There are 51 designers and 105 pieces that are showcased by 35 models in this show. We are very pleased with the success of this big production because the proceeds will go to scholarships for our students."

Joelle Arondoski, the promotions coordinator, a designer for the show and a junior in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences, is proud of the hard work she put into the show.

"A lot of people think that this is an easy major, but it is really very hard. We spent our Spring Breaks making clothes, but this show is a very good opportunity for us to show off what we have done all year."

Arondoski is one of only three designers to design male garments.

Of the 35 models, only three were men; of the 105 pieces, only four were men's garments.

"There are a lot of bra-less women back stage," said Tykesia Anderson, a designer for the show and a sophomore in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences. "It is much more difficult to design clothing for women than for men; there are just more curves and shapes to worry about … there is a lot of talent in this room, not small-time talent either, but major runway talent, both in the designers and the models."

Some of the pieces at Saturday night's show were original in design.

Jason Sherron, the male model for Arondoski's men's fashion piece, said, "We are going for the Italian Riviera look, but I would probably wear something like this on an everyday basis."

Other pieces, such as the piece designed by Mary Jane Matranga, a professor in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences, were more extravagant in design. Matranga's garment showcased on Saturday was a piece depicting Mailpouch tobacco in an attempt at representing urban camouflage.

Bridget Warner, the model for Matranga's garment, said, "I do not chew tobacco, but the dress is nice … it is a lot like wearing art."

Not all of the designer's inspirations were as full of statement as Mantranga's, however.

Darrell Gillcrese, a freshman in apparel technology and one of the few male designers, said, "My mom is very fashionable; she dresses good and dressed me good when I was growing up. She is here tonight … I am very nervous."

Nervousness was probably the only thing that exceeded the beautiful people on Saturday night.

"We are all very excited but very stressed out about our garments, there are a lot of high hopes in this industry," Arondoski said. "Unfortunately, there is also a lot of pressure and it takes a lot of work to be competitive."

 

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