Style show to showcase student designs Nov. 2
Constance Woods, graduate assistant
10/25/06
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s fashion merchandising students will host their annual style show, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. in the Student Union ballroom.
With the theme “From the Movies to the Runway,” 18 student-models will strut down the runway showing off 24 costume designs based on Hollywood favorites such as Disney’s “Princess,” the James Bond 007 movies, and Audrey Hepburn’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Student couples will also portray famous movie duos such as Jane and Tarzan, and Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.
The costumes are being designed by students enrolled in the fashion promotion course taught each fall in the Department of Counseling and Human Development‘s family and consumer science program. Class members include fashion merchandising, general studies, and management majors.
“While the primary student designer is Hannah Gates, other students will be contributing to the show through fashion illustrations, accessory creation, and original jewelry design,” said Jackie Didier, instructor in family and consumer science.
“I became interested in costume design when I was in my seventh grade English class and had to write a paper on fashion shows,” said Gates, a sophomore fashion merchandising student from Chalmette. Gates, who has been sewing since age 10, plans to move to California after graduation to continue her studies in costume design.
Didier said the student-produced shows have taken different forms over the years. “Last fall, because of Hurricane Katrina,” she said, “the students developed a series of fashion trend workshops in lieu of a fashion show due to personal and community limitations.”
In past years, students have showcased apparel from area merchants and businesses and staged the show during Homecoming week. “Hammond area merchants have graciously provided support this semester via monetary and door prize contributions,” Didier said.
“We are working on a nine-week planning calendar,” said Didier. “The show is managed by a fashion director and work is executed by six committees -- merchandise, model, publicity, commentary, stage, and budget.” Each student in the class serves on at least one committee.
Gates is coordinator of the merchandise committee while Kasey King is the producer. The responsibility is keeping the junior merchandising major from Prairieville quite busy. Producing the show requires her to meet weekly with each committee chair, overseeing the master calendar, and troubleshooting on a daily basis.
“I’m excited to be a part of Hannah’s design début,” said King.
“This type of experience is not one that can be accomplished through a traditional lecture/textbook plan,” said Didier. “I strongly feel that any student interested in pursuing a career in the fashion arena needs to have the benefit of actually planning and producing a fashion show.”
For more information regarding the student style show, contact Didier at 985-549-5692.
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