Kate Carrignan
Staff Writer
Bright lights, loud music and a catwalk just begging to be shredded on. No, this wasn't New York Fashion Week - this was Framingham States own Premier Fashion Show.
It all went down last Friday night with Incredible 30 designers from the fashion Department and an even more astonishing 83 models, showing off an astounding 139 garments.
The gymnasium was transformed- with a clearly professional mobile catwalk, complete with lights and a photography crew at the end.
As soon as the lights were dimmed, the audience was transported to a savvy soiree- it was as if we weren't in Framingham at all.
More impressive than the setting was a talent that came out on stage. with the most garments, it was hard to believe students made them.
Some garments looked as though they could be seen in Macy's - easy to wear designs that were appreciated by everyone.
Others were more elaborate with long trains, huge bustles and collars and intricate designs. those designs were remarkable to see moving down the runway- bouncing, flowing and shimmering in all their Glory
Particularly impressive were the 102 of 139 garments that were marked in the program as being all or partially original designs, meaning that the Garment was not created with a store-bought pattern.
It was obvious the audience was completely entranced there was a continuous bum of excitement and murmurs of approval or distaste the crowd favorites were made clear by "oohs" and "ahhs" when a garment first came out from backstage.
The fashion club host the show annually, deciding and organizing the theme place and date, but also providing and acquiring designer contracts and setting up the model casting for the designers.
Designer contracts are used to commit designers to the show, which provides the fashion club with a set number of designers and garments.
Casting occurred at the beginning of March, in order for the designers to fit the garments to the models.
There are also model contracts to make sure there are enough models for the designers, and that the models stay committed to the designers and the show.
although the show is open to all class levels, the majority of designers or seniors - 19, and all whose garments are typically part of their senior portfolio.
Ashley Fooks, one of the seniors from the show said the experience helps the student designers.
“It gets our name out there it shows what we can do, besides sketches. … I feel like people don't think fashion is a real major and the show shows them what we can do and how hard we actually work. we’re a legitimate major”
“[The show] is so rewarding once you're done, it shows off all your hard work. … it was really exciting. … this year, the club did a really good job with the step up,” said Fooks.
The seniors were recognized at the end of the show, with a walk down the runway.
The fun wasn't just for the designers, though. Senior fashion design and retailing student Nikki Caprai-Grames was a model for designer Dayna Nelson.
“I took a moment to look around backstage. I saw designers yelling, models stuck in dresses, and people tripping down the stairs coming off the runways,” she said
“The audience saw a wonderful show with talented models and creative and skilled designers,” she said. “You would never know what kind of chaos is going on behind those curtains.”
Overall the show was spectacular. there was a continuous Round of Applause for the garments and a clear appreciation of the work put into them.