The Grand Ballroom of Eastern Michigan University’s Student Center was transformed into a designer’s dream Oct. 8-11, for a student run fashion show.
The event, called Fashionality, was the fifth show by the group and aptly titled ‘V.’
The ballroom was completely filled around 7:30 p.m. The air was filled with excitement and high expectations.
The arrangement of the chairs was focused on the stage at the far end of the ballroom. Even the photographer was impressed.
“I think it looks different and cool,” said freelance photographer NeCole Dash. “I hope that I am going to see what I expected and more.”
All of the event hostesses had on black, while the coordinators wore white.
Those in attendance were dressed in casual attire, with a fair amount of color blocking, bright high heels and statement necklaces around the room.
At around 7:40 p.m., two models came to sit on the edge of the runway dressed in black leotards.
At exactly 8 p.m., the show began. The opening theme was “Take Care” by Drake. Rich jewel tones were the first to come down the runway. Next came light, flowing fabric that was the color of peach. It was quite a contrast when structured animal prints came out next.
Before the intermission, floral prints in shades of bright colors closed the scene.
There were several organizations at the fashion show. Fashionality invited them to the show as guests of honor.
Moda, along with people from Western Michigan University, University of Michigan Inspire and Michigan State University sat in the front row, looking excited.
The main organization Fashionality was supporting this year was the Lupus Foundation of America, a nonprofit voluntary health organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for people with lupus. Half the ticket sales went toward helping to find a cure as well as treatments for lupus.
Brittni Brown, the president of Fashionality, came out and gave tearful thank yous to all of the members of the staff who had been called to the stage.
She said it took them seven months to plan the show and make it a reality.
Timothy Wilson, the vice president and fundraising coordinator of Fashionality, told Brown how grateful he was to be able to help her.
The ‘V’ part of the fashion show was elegant and memorable. Before actual models came out, there was a ballet dancer who gracefully danced around on the runway. She finished her skit by walking the model’s signature catwalk to leave the runway.
The main theme of designs that came down the runway next was masquerade-themed. There were also fairytale references.
Even though the show was beautiful, some people thought things could have been adjusted.
“Last year was better because the stage was longer,” Celine Woods , whose sister was a designer in last year’s show, said. “Last year everyone could see the designs. Everyone doesn’t get to benefit from the show. The only people who do get to benefit are the people who paid for the VIP tickets.”
The show was put on by EMU students as well as alumni. People from all walks of life came together to make this show possible.
