The Fashion & Design Club hosted its annual fashion show in Welte Hall at Central Connecticut State University on April 4 where over 200 attendees were able to witness an elegant performance
More than just a showcase of different outfits strung together for a normal day, the fashion show was an immersive experience that gave a sense of mystery as to what could possibly happen next.
The clothing included was from designers such as Switch Blade using stainless steel rings to reinterpret what fashion design can mean, to the irony exhibited by the Ghetto excellence line created by Honcho, which elevated what streetwear means, to a place of raw sophistication.
The fashion show, cultivated by the president of the club, Devon Astacio, was an intrinsically captivating experience that transported you into a film-like ambiance. The entire show was strategically produced in such a way that each scene played off the last in a subtle but passionate way.
Astacio said the show was more than just a club event he was taking part in, but something he could be proud of.
“To me, it was a passion project that we put on that ended up being successful,” Astacio said. “I’ve proven so much to myself through the show, it meant a lot to me. The show was a showcase of excellence.”
However, Astacio wasn’t alone in this endeavor, as Damani Hough had an important role in making the fashion show a reality. Together, the two of them created a visual story, beginning and ending with both of their visions; The S3R3NTY Brand and Sonder.
Hough said the storytelling was methodically planned out with the purpose of letting the models exude emotion.
“The Sonder scene was meant to tie the whole thing together; everyone’s definition of elegance is different because we’re all perceiving everything differently from our stories, so it showed the different definitions,” Hough said.
The show had elements that reached many different demographics of creatives. Lines like Kanti by Nu Rana illustrated culture through the use of traditional South Asian attire and alluring jewelry. Additionally, there was a redefining of what business casual looks like through the Rose Collection by Syniah Rose, using denim in new and innovative ways.
There were even moments of darkness and grunge constructed by Eldridge Adomoko and Krista Allen, respectively. By harnessing dark emotions and embracing rebellion as an outlet, these lines took what may be looked at as taboo and created a platform of acceptance.
Astacio and Hough shared a common goal and said they hope people took something away from the show.
“A lot of people treat fashion as a trend, but you can’t be super judgmental and cookie-cutter with fashion,” Astacio said. “Our purpose here on Earth is to inspire.”
“I miss when fashion was a select few people doing it, but we still want to teach everyone the language of fashion so that people can communicate in their own way,” Hough said. “I want to see everyone speaking their own language. When you’re putting your mind to something, you’re really capable of anything.”
