Models prowled the catwalk and displayed the latest and fiercest fashions from student designers and local boutiques this past Friday at Serranos Salsa Company.
The third annual Rock N Wear fashion show, hosted by the Beta Xi Chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon, a national business fraternity, featured a special new segment this year.
University fashion majors competed in a judged runway competition modeled after Bravo’s “Project Runway.”
Lindsey Landry, human resource management senior and president of the Beta Xi Chapter, said the fraternity introduced the new portion to promote other student organizations, like LSU Hemline Organization for Fashion Majors.
“We wanted to find a way to draw more people here,” she said. “We know we have a lot of talented individuals at LSU, and we wanted to showcase their work.”
Nine student contestants designed for three categories – classical, oldies and rock’n’roll.
Emily D’Aquin, apparel design senior and winner of the classical portion, said she thought about classical music for her dress design.
“I tried to think of what classical music would be as a fabric [and] I found sheet music,” she said.
D’Aquin designed a pleated, tiered dress made of classical sheet music.
Some designers modernized older styles.
Toni Dangerfield, textile science, apparel design and merchandising senior and one of the competition winners, designed an outfit for the rock’n’roll segment of the competition.
She created a two-piece outfit with several fabrics inspired by English riding pants and vests.
“I was inspired by the original London punks,” she said. “I thought about what their offspring would wear.”
Dangerfield said she participated in the fashion show to gain experience.
“I definitely wanted some exposure prior to graduation,” she said. “I wanted to experience some of the time constraints [that] I would [have] as an entry-level designer.”
Each of the interviewed designers said Rock N Wear was an opportunity for exposure.
Courtney Bourgeois, textile science, apparel design and merchandising senior, said she also took part in the fashion show for exposure.
“I want to let people know I’m here,” she said.
Inspired by the Prohibition era, Bourgeois designed a flapper dress.
“That time is intriguing to me, especially for women. Women’s rights were coming out,” she said. “I thought it would be nice to do an exaggerated version [of a flapper dress]. I wanted to have the feel of flapper but so you could wear it today.”
Other contestants also thoroughly brainstormed their designs.
Christina Burns, apparel design senior, designed for the classical category.
“I wanted to incorporate Hollywood glamour with old couture,” she said. “I wanted to incorporate things that are mundane and make them elegant.”
Burns’s gown featured a bust emblazoned with pennies, a raffia bodice and a floor length skirt made of more than 60 trash bags. She also designed matching penny accessories, a clutch and a bracelet.
The second segment of Rock N Wear, was modeled from MTV’s show, “Fashionably Loud.”
The Moon Dogs, a local band, played covers of alternative rock songs, while models wore clothing and accessories from local boutiques.
A panel of four judges picked a winner from each of the three categories.
Kendal Vosburg, apparel design senior and judges’ oldies winner, said she was overwhelmed and excited about the crowd that attended Rock N Wear.
“It’s great to see such a turnout,” she said as she helped her model out of a peacock-inspired corset and skirt combination.
Like many of the student designers, Vosburg looks forward to life after graduation.
“I want to start my own company,” she said. “And I want to do whatever I want and be as creative as I want.”
Vosburg said she entered the competition for fun and exposure.
“I wanted as much exposure as I could and want people in Baton Rouge to be familiar with my name and what I do,” she said. “It’s great to win because I put a lot of work into it.”
—–Contact Sarah Omojola at somojola@lsureveille.com