Seated around the runway stretched across Goldstein Auditorium’s main floor, the crowd awaiting the Senior Fashion Show could not see the chaotic whirlwind of activity taking place beyond the opaque backdrop of the stage. Models, designers, hairstylists and makeup artists frantically scrambled to make sure each runway look was perfect.

‘I literally have no idea how I got dressed into different clothes,’ said Krista Johnson, a sophomore public relations major who presented looks for three different designers. ‘I had four or five sets of hands just rubbing makeup on and off my face and tugging my hair and throwing my clothes on, it was really crazy.’

The 20 female senior designers in the College of Visual and Performing Arts presented six self-designed, sewn and styled looks Thursday afternoon and again Friday night. The top 11 collections will be presented in New York City in June.

The entire show flowed smoothly and transitioned effortlessly from one designer to the next. Though each collection was unique,current trends in the fashion industry — such as loose, flowing garments, well-tailored bottoms, dark colors and sheer fabrics — were consistent throughout the show.

Andrea McInnes’ Japonaiserie collection, fusing Japanese culture with 1970s American silhouettes,set the tone for the show with clean lines, impeccable tailoring and dark, bold colors. Her first piece, a dark blue, cross-back jumpsuit with a wide leg fit and flowing fabric at the ankle, kicked off the show.

‘It has been so tiring and exhausting to get this all together,’ McInnes said. ‘But when I saw my models in the rehearsal,I was so happy with how they walked and am happy that I got to go first.’

Johnson was the first model to walk down the runway in McInnes’ garment, her even steps accentuating the graceful rippling of the fabric. Though Johnson has modeled before, she said this show gave her an extra sense of energy and excitement.

‘I was standing waiting for the first show to start for so long that I started feeling nervous,’ she said. ‘But I was excited to be the first person that everyone gets to look at. I wanted to look really professional and just start the show off on a good foot.’

Johnson also modeled for two other designers in the show, which demanded much of her time because the planning for the show began immediately at the start of the semester and each specific piece is fitted to a particular model. Johnson said the designers accommodated her schedule and she enjoyed all the wardrobe fittings. 

‘I get really jealous that I can’t take them home because I’m like, ‘Well, it’s specially fitted to me, can’t I have it?”she said.

A few bass-heavy songs and several rounds of applause later, LaTimberly Johnson’s collection stood out with eye-catching patterns, mixed and matched with blocks of bright colors and tied together with bold hair and makeup.

‘I was really inspired by the metaphysical and Isidora Duncan, who basically invented modern dance,’ LaTimberly said. ‘I wanted to capture these abstract ideas of movement, color and shape.’

LaTimberly’s final model embodied the combination of the three as she took the runway at an even pace with arms outstretched,her long, sweeping sleeves billowing behind her dramatically.

Moments after LaTimberly took her bow and stepped offstage,Kanye West’s song ‘Work Out Plan’ blasted through the speakers. The audience erupted into shouts and applause. Leah Testa’s song choice reflected her unique line, the only athletic-wear collection.

Headphones replaced earrings, and loose,airy fabrics were traded for tight, form-fitting materials, accentuating the athletic build of the models Testa chose. Each look was united by uniform metallic silver high-heels resembling sneakers and tied up with purple laces matching the theme of her collection.

‘I intend to go into the sports arena and design things for companies like Nike or Adidas,’ said Testa, who, as a member of the SU track team,values athletic style. ‘Everyone wants to look cute when they work out and afterward, and I like presenting new and exciting options.’

Dayna Teitelbaum’s unconventional concept presented a variety of choices, creating one garment with a multitude of options to enhance wear-ability. Teitelbaum said clothing should be able to adjust to any occasion based on people’s location and lifestyle.

With this concept, Teitelbaum presented 12 looks instead of six. After one model reached the end of the runway to present one look,she returned to the beginning of the catwalk and, assisted by the next model, transformed the first look into a brand new one. Cheers of approval quickly drowned the music out as Teitelbaum took her bow and pranced offstage, pumping her fist in the air.

At the end of the show, models rushed out from the side wings of the stage, hurrying to their next Thursday afternoon class or engagement as friends and family proudly awaited the talented designers to celebrate four years of hard work leading up to this final show.

‘After working for so many hours and putting in so much effort hoping things will work out, it’s just the greatest feeling to know it worked out smoothly,’ Teitelbaum said. ‘It all worked exactly how I envisioned it.’

dmodiama@syr.edu

Published on May 1, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Danielle: dmodiama@syr.edu | @daniemarieodie