 "Photo: Photo Courtesy of Richard Marx")
Statement shoes, bold colors, and attitude, were the headlining features of "Stitch!", Loyola College's 18th Annual Black Student Association Fashion Show. Co-directors and students, Mistee-Rae Peters and Aliyah Codrington, collaborated to create a show that entertained but never lost its main focus; fashion.
"We emphasized the clothing, set and overall show. This year, it isn't a talent show. It's a fashion show." commented Peters. It certainly was.
Unlike previous shows, none of the looks were designed by the Loyola Fashion Club. Instead, local boutiques and vendors donated most of the clothes in exchange for publicity. Department stores, TJ Maxx and New York & Company also contributed. In addition to the changes, the em-cees and halftime show from the previous year were nixed. Instead, an anonymous announcer guided the audience through the show with a strong British accent.
Codrington explained the decision to call the show "Stitch!" "The same way a stitch holds fabric together, is the way we united individual scenes to create the show." Each of the six scenes, directed by student leaders, had a unique theme and told a different fashion story.
As the lights dimmed, the unseen announcer read a poem entitled "Stitch!" "Cross stitch/flat stitch/Where will it end?/As long as there's fashion,/The stitch sets the trend."
"Ying-Yang", the opening scene directed by Jennifer McDaniel, took its audience for a trip across the Atlantic by capturing the preppy essence of the U.K. Female models donned curls, colored headbands, and pouty lips. Their clothes, which included colored jeans, belted skirts, and bright dresses with feminine cuts, highlighted spring trends. Menswear included military cut jackets, knit sweaters, and the essential Burberry print scarf. As the scene switched to nightwear, the infectious beats of M.I.A. led neon-clad models dancing down the runway.
Ardené Fox and BSA president Allegra Scott, scene leaders of "Flash" said their inspiration came from their desire to "capture fashion through photography." Models paraded out with body size, rectangular frames. They paused mid-runway and posed dramatically, creating a fashion silhouette. Their outfits were just as powerful as their poses. "Flash" featured a range of clothing from lovely dresses, ranging from sundresses to cocktail, to tough leather jackets. As the scene concluded, the models reentered the runway, camera in hand, and turned their lenses on the audience.
Scene three, entitled "3-D: Diva, Damaged, Disturbed" and directed by Whitney White, was the most theatrical of the night. Model, Tierra White played a distressed shop-a-holic who is romanced by fellow model, Omololu Bajulaiye, who expressed his love by earnestly picking up her Coach shopping bag. Even more sweet, was the amazing variations of the tutus worn by some of the models. They also sported metallics, ribboned wedges, leather booties, and serious attitude. Among the tutu creations was a structured, plaid and gold corset and ruffled mini that enhanced the scene's fantastical element. After a dance sequence to "Disturbia", White embraced her inner Rihanna and led the models out, bound to each other by metal chains.
Cadesha McLean directed "Tropical Daze", a scene which transformed Reitz Arena into a warm Caribbean beach. Reggae blared out the speakers and models clad in bright colors, fedoras, board short danced down the runway. Printed blouses, silk dresses, high wasted skirts and colored pumps added to the scene's beauty. Toward the end, models walked proudly with flags displaying their unique Caribbean heritage.
"Maybe it's the shoes…that add gleam to the tips of an outfit. Perhaps it's those chandelier earrings; essential accessories that can never go wrong." The announcer read the importance of bold accessories in fashion and the fifth scene "K.I.S.S.", directed by Majorie Thousand. Variations of the little black dress were worn by models embellished with thick eyelashes and jewels surrounding their eyes. Smooth music lead them down the runway in sky-high, eye popping stilettos given by ALDO. Although the outfits were simple, they featured a range of textures and cuts and kept the audience enthralled.
"Can't Stop" by Red Hot Chili Peppers pounded through Reitz as models adorned in colorful Ray-Bans posed on opposite sides of the runway. "Change", directed by Ann-Elise Francis and featuring Ann-Elise Francis Designs, started with a bang. Models flirted and posed along the runway in liquid leggings, layers of gold chains, legwarmers, suspenders, and converses. The paring of a graphic tee with a picture of Jimi Hendrix, liquid leggings, and platform pumps captured the scene's youthful vibe. "Change" had some of the show's most wearable clothing, emphasized layers, and styled up simple t-shirts.
The combined efforts of the directors and scene leaders resulted in a show that left the audience cheering and in awe of the fantastic styling and talented models. The show was fun, chic, and most importantly, fierce.
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