Fashion department shines on the catwalk

By Elisabetta Silvestro

The Guardsman

For the past two weeks, the Ocean campus cafeteria was transformed for a few hours into a fashion catwalk where students from the fashion direction and coordination class put up informal fashion shows.

Every aspect of the shows was organized by the students. From the swarm of makeup artists, hair stylists and models backstage to the music selected, every detail looked like a proper fashion show.

The collection featured clothes and shoes borrowed from Goodwill and local designers Acta Non Verba (Hector Manuel), Roenna Designs and Sam Shan. Manuel and Shan are fashion students at City College.

Fashion Department Chair Diane Green, who is the fashion direction and coordination class instructor, teaches the students how to produce fashion shows.

“This class shows us how to do it in the real world,” student Jessy Ortiz said.

Ortiz, together with Dion Ardon, Ashtine Del Rosario, Khailey Escobedo and Clariza Martinez, organized the April 29 show, called “La Rebéllion.”

Ardon said the inspiration behind the outfits was a “Parisian, Versace, rock ‘n’ roll vibe.”

The models, who were students and friends of students, wore a palette of almost strictly black and white with a few spots of gold.

Wearing lace, sheer fabrics and bustiers, the women looked seductive and elegant. Dressy pieces were spiced up by biker jackets and studded ankle boots. Their hair was pulled back in low ponytails or down in soft locks.

The men wore button-down shirts half-way open, slim pants and oxfords.

“Retro Unleashed” was the name of the May 1 show, a full immersion into ‘80s style and music.

Models walked down the runway to the music of Cyndi Lauper and Blondie wearing bright-colored outfits and fluorescent accessories.

Denim, velvet and shiny elastic fabrics predominated the show.

The women had voluminous hair, red or pink lips and flashy tights. The outfits included stretch skirts, short shorts and leggings paired with crop tops, hoodies and gilets. On their feet, the models had jelly sandals, canvas sneakers and wedges.

The men wore lots of colors with more down-played outfits —besides the yellow button-down, red bow tie, orange pants and vest ensemble. The pants were either straight and folded at the bottom or bermuda cut.

These outfits had the word fun written all over them.

The clothes were borrowed from San Francisco’s Goodwill, Berkeley’s Sway and the organizers’ closets. The show was put up by students Darresha Williams, Kayla Lacy, Mark Castillo, Mashal Noory and Yuyan Qiu.

“It was hard work but it paid off,” Williams said.

The students worked on their shows for three months.

“I’m very pleased,” Green said. “They are very talented and they get better and better.”

A formal fashion show, “Midnight Metropolis,” will be held May 18 at Ruby Skye, located at 420 Mason St., where the seven best City College fashion students will showcase their creations and compete to win three $20,000 Academy of Art University scholarships.