Freshman Ashley Alting compared walking down the runway to the emotional rush right before going down a roller coaster. As an apparel design major, Alting was selected to model winter looks for the "Winter in a New York Minute" fashion show yesterday.
"The audience was intimidating, because they were all looking at me," Alting said.
Alting got prepared for the show seven hours before it began. Even though preparations for the show took a long time, she said she enjoyed the special treatment.
"It was fun getting hair and makeup done ... It's not something I do everyday," Alting said.
Junior apparel design major Taylor Groft is a regular volunteer at the fashion shows. He described working backstage as incredibly hectic.
"I'm a very organized person, and when things aren't organized, I get stressed out," Groft said. "Thankfully, everything worked out fine."
Groft was in charge of dressing male models backstage before sending them down the runway.
"[The fashion show] was really fast. It's almost like a blur. [The models] just throw clothes off, and you try to figure out which goes on next," Groft said.
Even though backstage was hectic, Groft said the show went smoothly.
"I'm glad it went without a hitch," he said. "I'm sure it was a great show."
Groft said working backstage is a great experience to keep in his books.
"Made in Manhattan" was the tagline used in the show program. The looks on the runway evoked the spirit of winter fashion in New York City. Layering, denim, bold accessories, neutral colors and wool and leather jackets were prominent elements in the fashion show. For formal looks, male models donned tuxedos and female models wore full-length gowns, many of them embellished.
Freshman apparel design major Bennett Williamson was one of the many audience members viewing the looks on the runway. He said he enjoyed the outfits displayed by the models.
"All the looks went with their titles. Daywear looks were very daywear. The evening looks were very much evening," Williamson said. "The formal looks were very spot on. They were very much what we would wear."
Williamson said the looks on the runway were very well put-together.
"I thought [the fashion show] was just the right amount of fun and seriousness. It was coordinated really well," he said.
There were videos of New York City playing in the background of the set. Music referring to New York City played for the models in the catwalk. The first track of the fashion show was "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
"I was snapping along and singing to the music. I thought the music helped me to get into the feeling of New York fashion," Williamson said.
Senior apparel design and fashion merchandising major Joey Torres said he thoroughly loved the show.
"I know all the hard work that [my friends] put into it. I was there when they were building the set and getting stuff ready," Torres said. "It was nice to see the outcomes."
Many of the models held shopping bags of the stores that the clothes came from, like Charlotte Russe and Buckle.
"I liked how the models having shopping bags, so people know where to get the outfits they liked," Torres said.
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