Local shop Time Warp Boutique offers stand-out vintage finds to local shoppers, but the Fashion Association at LSU will be browsing its merchandise for a different purpose — renting. 
As an added element to FA at LSU’s fashion show “Luminous” on May 13, the organization will hold a stylist competition with the theme “A Night in Lights”. 
FA at LSU marketing representative and marketing sophomore Taylor Vaughn is the lead organizer for show. She said when deciding the theme, she wanted it to meld with the fashion show’s theme so the night would be cohesive. 
For “A Night in Lights,” Vaughn said the stylists are expected to bring his or her best red carpet inspired look. However, this doesn’t just leave elegant gowns on the table. She said she’s expecting contestants to get creative with the competition and become inspired by modern-day red carpets.  
“If you watch MTV or those kind of [red carpet award] shows, [celebrities aren’t] wearing just gowns and formal attire,” Vaughn said. “Women are wearing tuxedos, and they’re wearing crazy stuff.”
Time Warp opened its doors to the stylists to have free reign over the clothing and accessories selection. There really are no restrictions unless there’s an item that is extremely expensive. 
The boutique is the only vendor for the competition. She said owner Josh Holder is always helpful and willing.
Vaughn attempted to secure other vendors for this year but said she found it difficult because some boutiques were hesitant to lend expensive formal wear. However, Time Warp offers an element other vendors cannot. 
“They have a formal section. It’s not huge but it’s really cool because it’s vintage, so it has a twist on that,” Vaughn said. 
Since FA at LSU is an organization open to anyone at the University, the styling competition was not meant to be exclusive. Vaughn said all applicants had to do was submit their email to receive information on the process. 
Along with pulling clothes from Time Warp, contestants also were expected to find their own model or select one of the models from the fashion show’s two open casting calls. 
Vaughn said adding this event to “Luminous” gives merchandising students the opportunity to participate. She said the design students are heavily involved with the show because they are creating collections, but allowing students in another concentration to showcase their creativity shows how multifaceted the Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising department is. 
“[TAM] students get a chance to go and style within that community with Time Warp then have their model walk and show their creativity, which is really cool,” Vaughn said.
The competition will conclude with judging, followed by first and second prize winners. Vaughn said Holder is always one of the judges and other professionals in the local fashion community are included.
Stylists are tested to showcase their skills of putting an ensemble together for different body shapes and different tastes. Getting early experience working in the stylist mindset allows students to learn to keep an open mind and get creative with what they put together. 
“[Holder] normally says he likes to look for creativity,” Vaughn said. “So not just going with the theme, but going with the theme but then thinking outside the box because that’s where your stylist part comes in.”
You can reach Meg Ryan on Twitter @The_MegRyan.
 

Gallery • 2 Photos

Charles Champagne

LSU apparel design senior Ashley Andrews along with textiles and merchandising students prepare garments Tuesday, April 28, 2015 for the department’s ninth annual fashion show titled “Luminous”.