The clicking of flashing cameras from photographers, cheers from the audience and music playing fills the room as models strut across the stage and auditorium. Bright lights illuminate the shimmer of sequins, shiny fabrics and the sharp lines of tailored silhouettes, each design unique. As the models pose and display their outfits, the student designers watch from backstage, taking in all of their hard work.

The district put on a fashion show for students in the Practicum Fashion Design class on April 17 at the Vista Ridge Auditorium. With a small class size, all four Practicum students participated, with students from Vista Ridge and Rouse involved as well. Students met through Zoom and discussed the logistics of the show, settling on an Old Hollywood theme. 

“That’s probably my favorite part of fashion design,” fashion design teacher Sarah Stribling said. “Seeing their frustration when designing, thinking that this isn’t going to work and then the excitement that comes whenever it does fit and someone’s able to wear it. I like that you could see their personality through each design. It was fun to see the uniqueness of each one, but have it match their personality within the theme.”

The student designers were required to make two outfits. The first was made entirely by the student, while the other had to be an upcycled piece. Preparation for the show began around October and continued on until the night of the show.

“The most rewarding part of the fashion show was being surrounded by people who also have a passion for fashion and seeing everyone’s incredible designs,” senior Lily Culp said. “I think the show did a great job of bringing together a group of students who have similar interests and putting this on display in a really great way. I would totally do this again if I could and I hope this continues in the future.” 

Students began their design process by creating mood boards and researching the Old Hollywood theme. Senior Lilly Adams said that she was heavily inspired by Marilyn Monroe and women in suits.

“When I was first trying to come up with my designs, I came across an entire jackpot of women in business outfits in old Hollywood and I thought that was so sick,” Adams said. “I also knew that a lot of people were just going to be doing dresses because that was very popular in Old Hollywood. I thought it’d be really cool if I did a two-piece to be different.”

Following the mood boards, students began sketching their designs. Once their sketches were ready, the designers used muslin fabric to create mock-ups of the outfits, before moving into the actual sewing process. Students purchased fabric at thrift stores, Joann Fabrics or made their own pattern. For the upcycled piece, the class took a field trip to Savers and picked their outfit.

“It was really awesome, especially because it was a very stressful experience at most points, trying to get everything together,” Adams said. “There were a couple points where I didn’t think I was going to have my designs ready by the time of the fashion show, so when I did and I saw them on the runway or being shown on my model, I was like, okay, that was worth it. All that work and stress that I went through was worth it to finally see it complete.”

The models for the show were often friends of the student designer. Since the Fashion Design Practicum class is so small, the Fashion Design II class is in the same period and had some of those students volunteer as models.

“It was great to see my designs on the runway and it made it feel more real and professional to me,” Culp said. “Watching the models have fun and bring the garments to life was really fun and rewarding. Fashion design is something that I want to pursue in the future. I plan on studying fashion design at LSU and then hopefully go on to start my own fashion label.” 

With finding out about needing a second outfit just weeks before the show and only two meetings with the other schools before the show, Adams said the preparation was stressful at times.

“I’d say that after seeing everything come together, being backstage during the show, hearing everyone cheering and applauding for the models and coming on the stage at the end, it was definitely very rewarding seeing that everything paid off,” Adams said. “I regretted having to do it at first, but I was glad I did it. It was just a lot more work with what got added throughout and it felt undoable, but I completely changed my mind.”