Student designers and models filled the Conaway Center runway Friday night, May 8, for the Picture Perfect Modeling Troupe’s end-of-semester fashion show, presenting original collections shaped by months of rehearsals and planning.
The “Threads of Triumph” showcase featured 35 models and eight designers from majors across the college, with students producing much of the show themselves, from runway setup to music production.
Senior photography major Jordan Perdue, president of the Picture Perfect Modeling Troupe, said the show centered on celebrating culture and perseverance through difficult times.
Unlike previous semesters, club members handled much of the production work themselves, including producing tracks and setting up the runway.
“Last semester we got to have the show at the Student Center,” said James Hoffman, a senior arts management major and the show coordinator. “The production timeline and the roles were a little bit different.”
“Walk For Me,” the show’s closing track, was created and produced by club members.
During three-hour rehearsals, which took place every Tuesday and Thursday, models went over techniques like walking down the runway, footwork and how to accentuate their body and faces.
“I would say when it comes to rehearsal, we run the show multiple times to make sure we perfected everything,” said Alejandro Vargas, a first-year fashion studies major.
Both Jessica Penrod and Vargas said they enjoyed walking down the runway and supporting student designers’ work.
Senior fashion studies major Shay Gensch said her feminist-inspired showcase drew from Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter” era. Gensch hand-embellished her garments.
“That is where I got a lot of design inspiration, but I really wanted to create a collection that empowered women and embraced feminine energy,” Gensch said.
Horror-inspired sophomore fashion design major Thomas Albers, whose collection incorporated blood and body-part imagery.
“I really liked how you could see each person’s individual style come out in what they did. Not just their culture, but things that influence their personality,” said Sarah Wicks, sophomore film and television major.
Mazzy McCloud, a first-year music business major, attended the show to support her roommate who was modeling.
“My favorite part was seeing the diverse range of themes,” McCloud said.
Taylor Tresnak, a student at Elmhurst University, came to support his girlfriend who was modeling for the first time.
“It’s just cool to see how much they care about their craft,” Tresnak said.
Copy edited by Katie Peters
