Two of GCC’s international students from Timor-Leste, an island nation in southeast Asia, attended the annual Human Rights Summit.  These students, Jorguino Savio and Arsenio Ferreira, are both in their first semester of GCC’s newest degree program, Food Processing Technology.  Both students are attending the college on full scholarships through the Timor-Leste Hillary Clinton Scholarship Program administered by the Institute of International Education and funded through the United States Agency for International Development.

Savio and Ferreira attended the 13^th annual Human Rights Summit, which was host at the United Nations on August 25^th and 26^th.  This summit featured young volunteers who were using their education to end human trafficking, bullying, poverty, war, police brutality, gang violence, and other such human rights violations.  The youth delegates, 72 young men and women, presented their work to not only to their peers, but also the 400 guests in attendance.

The Timor-Leste Hillary Clinton Scholarship program is funded through the United States Agency for International Development. Scholarships were awarded to academically talented and qualified Timorese students with the goal of strengthening the base of skilled, high performing professionals in Timor-Leste to contribute to the country’s economic and social development.

Hosted at the United Nations on August 25-26^th, the 13^th annual International Human Rights Summit 2016 featured young volunteers who are using education to end such human rights violations as human trafficking, police brutality, bullying, poverty, war, and gang violence.72 young men and women were selected by Youth for Human Rights International as delegates to represent their 41 countries.

Youth delegates presented their work to their peers and the 400 guests attending and heard from human rights luminaries including six ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions to the United Nations.

Ambassador Irenee Omositson Namboka, former United Nations Human Rights Protection Advisor and Associate Fellow told the youth delegates that the right to education, including human rights education, is second only to the right to life. “Education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities.”

When you’re first starting out in the fashion industry, what is the number one piece of advice that people give you the most?

Internships, internships, internships!

Get as many as you can, while you can and when you have one, give it your all.  Today, I started my second internship EVER with Andrea Bonawitz Image Consulting.  Located in Rochester, NY, Andrea Bonawitz is an industry professional who owns not one but two businesses.  One being the image consulting business, and the other is her salon: Parlour.

I discovered Andrea and her businesses while I was scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook and thinking of the next challenge I was going to pursue for the fall semester, and ironically an advertisement for AB Image Consulting popped up!  I sent her an email telling her that I was interested, and things got rolling from there.

Andrea Bonawitz Image Consulting offers a multitude of personalized styling services from head-to-toe for anyone looking to revamp their wardrobe.  These include three main levels of packages:

1. REFRESH – Organize, Minimize, Simplify

Time is spent analyzing your body shape, reviewing your inspirations and creating your “Personal Style Description.”

√  Personal Body Shape Analysis

√  Personal Style Analysis

√  Color Checklist

√  Closet Cleanse

√  Wardrobe Assessment

√  Strategic Shopping List

2. RECLAIM – Refresh, Edit & Pair

Enjoy the complete “Refresh” package plus two strategic shopping lessons together, in-store or online.

3. Redefine – The Complete Evaluation

Enjoy this all-inclusive package plus unique outfit pairing services and your own personal wardrobe LookBook.

You can learn more about Andrea and her fabulous endeavors on her website:

http://www.andreabonawitzstyling.com

On my first day, I was excited to jump right in and start my assignments, and see what else Andrea had planned out for me.  I began by getting used to how everything is done, what platforms are used for marketing campaigns, and learning how to compose future email blasts for upcoming events!  So far, it seems like there is a lot going on with both of these businesses.  This upcoming fall season, they are hosting two different events through the Rochester Brainery: How To Create A Capsule Wardrobe and Curly Girl’s Guide To Natural Curls.  More information can be found under “Events” on her website!

I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to be involved with a wide variety of tasks including marketing & advertising efforts, social media managing/content creating, blogging, and even shadowing Andrea with future clients.  I can’t wait to be heavily involved with the company, and I’m lucky enough to have someone as amazing as Andrea to work with and guide me.  I am expecting to learn a lot from this internship.  The future is bright!

Jenna Curcio

Fashion Student

The word is obviously a contraction of the words “costume” and “play”. Don’t let the word play fool you however, I want to stress that cosplay is indeed intended to be a fun and enjoyable experience for all, but it’s also serious work. Many cosplayers sew and construct their own garments and accessories, serious feats of labor and dedication! Cosplayers are some of the most ingenious individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They sew, and thrift, and scavenge, and many design their own patterns for elaborate outfits that yet to exist for purchasing!

Several members of Geeks R Us were gracious enough to sit down with me, and allow me to pick their brains on the subject of cosplay and their own involvement.

Nathanael Wittlinger, pictured below as the iconic Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors, began his foray into the world of cosplay in 2009 when he dressed up as Jack Skellington for Halloween. In 2012 he attended UB Con in cosplay and was immediately struck by how into cosplay attendees got; he loved all the positive reactions and bystander attention. Nathanael is also a gifted puppeteer, and today has over 160 puppets! He performs various skits with these puppets on his YouTube channel, being heavily inspired by the legendary Jim Henson, and specifically his work on Sesame Street. He believes that puppets are great mediators, and he enjoys rescuing stray puppets from local thrift stores. I asked him what a dream cosplay costume would be for him, and he replied with Big Bird, of Snuffie from Sesame Street.

ProTip: If you want to make a career of cosplay go for it, but don’t make it your whole life. Prioritize your time and money.

Mathieu Crowley, pictured below with Elvira as a Vampire Prince of his own creation, got into cosplay as something to do for conventions. He has attended numerous conventions such as Roc Con, Monster Bash, and C2E2. When asked what his dream cosplays were he responded with, Cobra Commander, a movie authentic Darth Vadar, and Sarumon the White from Lord of The Rings.

Protip: Make friends with someone who knows how to sew!

Samantha Platek, pictured below as The Undertaker from Black Butler, first started cosplaying about two years ago. She said that it all really began when she started watching anime. She currently alternates between ten different cosplays, and has attended conventions such as Tora Con, Snowfest, and Anibash. Her top three cosplays are Grell, Tsukiyama, and Howl.Sam picks new cosplays as she watches new shows, so her list is ever increasing. When asked about her dream cosplays she said that it is her dream to build on the cosplays she currently has.

Protip: Take your time, do your research, but it’s never going to be 100% accurate and that’s okay.

Valentine Dudek pictured below as The Doctor, from Doctor Who, says that they’ve always been a theatre kid, and then one day realized, “hey, cosplay is a thing.” The rest is history. He frequently cosplays as Renzi from Bleach, the 10th Doctor, and two different versions of Sherlock Holmes. His dream cosplay would be a working Iron Man suit. Their future cosplay plans include Flynn Rider from Tangled, and a male version of Raven from Teen Titans. Valentine discovered the Geeks R Us club when he saw Sam Platek dressed in cosplay in the student union, and was informed by her about the then Anime Club. Valentine suggested expanding into general geek culture.

Protip: Don’t be afraid of us in costume. People are gonna stare, just let your geek flag fly!

Below are two pictures of me in cosplay! I recently attended RIT’s Tora Con as Shiro from No Game No Life, and Draculaura from Monster High. It was a blast! So if you’re a designer looking for a new way to utilize your skills, if you are a complete sewing novice and simply want to develop skills, or if you just want to buy some cool costumes online and unabashedly enjoy something that you enjoy, why not try cosplay?

The annual GCC fashion show continues its reign as the largest and longest running fashion show in Western New York!  We had record-breaking attendance this year with a total audience at GCC of 1,717 attendees.  This was also the very first year that we had live international streaming video.  We had an additional viewership of 440 US households watching in 19 states and 156 International households in 27 countries bringing our total audience to 2,313.  It is probably more because we don’t know how many people were viewing the live stream at each location.

We of course owe the success of the show to the students and faculty that were a part of it.  Everyone gave it their all, and it really showed!  The fifteen scenes in the show were all very distinct from one another, doing a fantastic job of representing to the public our theme: that fashion is something different to everyone.

Now that it’s over, it almost seems like it never happened.  We all spent months preparing for this, agonizing over every last detail, and after a few moments, it was all done.  It was as though a storm ripped through us, leaving us feeling empty and calm afterwords, only somehow changed and strangely energized.  The designers are all getting offers for their clothes; the students that participated in other areas are taking exciting internships that will doubtlessly lead to even greater levels of success.  In short, this event helped to springboard the careers for everyone that worked on it.

The show was over before we knew it, and none of us could have even thought about taking the time to snap photos; luckily, we had an expert crew there to capture some footage.  Here are but a few stills, which impressively do justice to something so heavily reliant upon movement:

Here are the stats from the Fashion Show streaming…

Once again, this would have been impossible without the tireless efforts of our extraordinary fashion program professors Mr. Dudkowski and Ms. Ehrhart, Mr. D’s wonderful secretary Cheryl Young, production efforts from Marc Tillery, Barry Chow, Gary Glaser, the entire event planning class, the criminal justice students, and everyone else that contributed to making this show happen! Thank you all so much!  We literally could not have done it without you, and your continued support means the world to us and our program! I know I’m not alone when I say, I can’t wait to see what next year’s show has in store!

The 35th annual fashion show at Genesee Community College is so very close being that it is only 2 days away! So with that said the question ‘What is fashion to you?’ is sparking the interest of many.
This year the 8th scene of the show is Bohemian chic featuring children’s wear. This scene is produced by Jessica O’Brien and Jordan Reese with assistance by Bailey Johnson and Jeannie Riveria. This scene is coachella inspired with a hint of children to wow the crowd and grab the attention of the audience.

When I think of fashion I think of the quote “fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life” to me this means you are who you are and what your style is, but that doesn’t mean it defines you. It allows you to extend what fashion is to you. After this year; I will be attending LIM in New York City to continue with my dreams of fashion.
35 years of fashion has been demonstrated and shown through this community, and this year we, as a whole are producing fashion is. We can’t wait to see what you all think of this years show. Hope to see you there!

-Jessie O’Brien

Recently I reached out to several popular fashion/ life style bloggers in the Western New York area. I Thought it would be great to get their ideas on the essence of fashion, and the meaning it plays in their lives. Lindsay Robson of NickelCityPretty, Andrea Barberia of GlamourCocktail, and Ruya Kirac of SweetShortand Stylish, were kind enough to reflect on the question of what fashion is to them, and provide us with heartfelt responses:

“Fashion is the greatest form of personal expression. It’s a way to show who I am and tell my story without using words. Fashion is fun and exciting and gives me an outlet to take a chance and step out of my comfort zone.”

-Ruya Kirac

What does “Amerikuh” mean in your own words?

I decided to name my scene “Amerikuh” based on the Palmer Trading Company’s past campaign titled the same, with all of the current events going on in America; whether that be politics, music, or religion. Their slogan is  “All Of Us Belong” I felt it fit perfectly with what I wanted to convey to the audience because we all want a sense that we fit somewhere in today’s society.

What are your design influences?

I am really obsessed with Europe’s fashion scene particularly London, I just love that British menswear is so classic and innovating with clean lines. My design influences are Dries Van Noten, Ray Kelvin for Ted Baker, Christopher Bailey for Burberry, and Alessandro Michele for Gucci and of course I have tons more but these are my top 10 lol.

What are your future career plans beyond GCC?

I plan to transfer to South Dakota State University to finish my Bachelors of Science in Apparel Merchandising and study aboard in London to earn my Master’s Degree in Menswear design.

By: Arion Bashir

When asked the simple question, “what is fashion to you?”, I automatically think of my very own personal style. I would have to say that my style is pretty edgy mostly because I’m never seen without wearing all black and a leather jacket. Upon creating my scene for this years 35th Annual Fashion Show, I had to make sure it was super edgy, sexy and dark using the only colors of black and gold. That’s how I came up with “Acrimonious” for my scene name.

My clothes for my scene consist of actual clothing pieces from my closet, clothing and accessories from Kohl’s in Batavia and having the extremely talented Erin Nesmith make an entire outfit. I was very specific with what looks I wanted for my scene and I’m so excited to finally showcase them on the runway in only a couple of weeks! As I am identified as the scene coordinator for “Acrimonious”, I would not have been able to put it all together without the help of Erin Nesmith, Matt Wagner who is my scene assistance, Nyla Council who drew an amazing picture for my backdrop and of course all of my beautiful models.

As much as I want to keep talking about my scene, I don’t want to give too much information away because I want to leave it as a surprise for everyone watching the day of the show! I am so anxious and excited for April 30th to be here and I know everyone that is involved in this years fashion show is too. So attend GCC’s 35th Annual Fashion Show and watch everyone’s handwork and scenes come to life! You won’t want to miss this amazing event.

-Kate Trowse

“My name is Matthew and I will be working with Kate Trowse on her scene, I will be helping with the hair and makeup portion of her scene and will also be making sure all the models are runway ready! Makeup is such a passion of mine because it can really make a person come alive! Just by adding some coverage and color to a face can really make a person stand out and look their best. I want to bring my techniques to the table to help Kate make her scene the best it can be and I have no doubt that we will have a killer show!”

-Matthew Wagner

The 35th annual fashion show at Genesee Community College will be upon us in just a few short weeks. Lauren Countryman, whom began studying fashion while abroad in Florence, Italy (2014), now finds herself a scene coordinator for this years show. After gaining a lot of knowledge and experience through her course work and through internships, she will be graduating, post-show with her classmates in May!

The name of her scene. Pneu Moda, is inspired by the aesthetic of classic looks infused with modern streetstyle; together creating a perfect dichotomy. Of course, the act of creating is undoubtedly autobiographical at the roots, but the way in which she has explored her past for this sustainable collection was in sooth, on a higher plane.

Here is another sample from the 2015 fall menswear collection designed by Raf Simons. This is just another look at the way she interpreted the trends she sees everyday with more classic, contemporary styles. 

It all began and will inevitably commence, so arcane and comprehensive; meanwhile, consciously translating fashions to the demographic and never losing sight of her own style perspective or interpretation. The words that comprise the scene name, Pneu Moda, also drove a vast majority of her inspiration for the garments of which she upcycled herself. It really gave each individual piece a noticeable light of unconventionality, and deeper meaning. The word Pneuma, derived from the ancient greeks, is defined as “an actual breath (to breathe), wind, the vital spirit, soul or creative energy force within a person.”

       Chiara Ferragni Streetstyle: source link = http://www.theblondesalad.com/2015/07/barbie-in-hollywood.htmlThis photo is a great depiction of the streetstyle that she wanted her scene to embody. Chiara Ferragni, Italian Fashion Blogger, is wearing a Jaydee Barbie in Hollywood jacket with a pair of vintage Levis Strauss.

  A quotation from Anaximenes observes that “just as our soul (psyche), being air, holds us together, so do breath (pneuma) and air encompass the whole world. According to Diocles and Praxagoras, the psychic pneuma meditates between the heart, regarded as the seat of the mind. Analogously, others have said pneuma to be the active, generative principal that organizes both the individual and the cosmos. A lot to take in, but she found great took great insight from the other facet of the word – that being our ‘childlike’ spirit, something every person, creative or not, should have and take advantage of. In all aspects of life, there is nothing more trying or telling than time and aging. Not only do they contribute to your ability (or lack thereof) to have the perspective to understand your purpose, then and now but they form your experiences, choices and decisions that make you an original copy.

Last, but certainly not least, is the epitome of chic, Miss. Jenna Lyons, J. Crews creative director and president. Whether she is attending the Knowles’ wedding or captured for her exceptional street-style game at fashion week, there is no denying her eye for style. These are all images of people and fashions that Lauren collected and utilized as inspiration for Pneu Moda.

‘What you’re meant to do’ – can be a very formidable opponent in the game of life. When people make the  choice to open their eyes, heart and mind, you’re standing at the threshold of your past and what’s destined to be.  If you become open to chance, opportunity and experience – without preconceived ideas, you’re allowing life to happen as it’s meant to.

The profound amount of research and creative energy put into this scene was driven by that same childlike spirit that pneuma embodies.This is too often mistaken for unsophistication or insignificance and here it’s so embraced and has both the look and feel of high style. This collection is presented with  hopes to define fashion in her own words: unprecedented yet meaningful and fashion-forward.It will really be a showcase of a ‘Pneu Moda Savoir Faire.’ This scene, alongside all of the other amazing collection in the show this year, are sure to provide both intrigue and enchantment. The opportunity has arrived to open your eyes in new ways with new fashion. Stay tuned for more on Pneu Moda, other scenes, show updates and more, we cannot wait to see you there!