Over the past weekend, the largest fashion show in Western New York took place right at Genesee Community College. The four months of extremely hard work that so many students had put into Ethereal was wrapped up in a single day. As the weekend festivities come to a close and the new week starts, the Fashion Show Production students who created the show came back to their 9 am class to discuss and evaluate all aspects of Saturday, the day of the shows. Collectively, we have all heard such positive things about the shows. We’ve learned that some attendees even wanted to purchase garments made for the show! 
Aside from the fashion aspect of Ethereal, the after party in the Cafeteria was also an amazing accomplishment. Professor Amy Slusser who is the Faculty Advisor for Tourism and Hospitality Management is the head of the after party in the Cafeteria and works one-on-one with the fashion students to make the annual fashion show as successful as possible. This morning in class, Professor Slusser visited the fashion students along with Professor Dudkowski to reflect on the weekends fashion bash. “The cohesive plan throughout the entire semester made it easier to keep with the plans for the party” was just one of the many encouraging words from Professor Slusser. The theme for the show was decided in the fall semester of this academic school year and has stayed constant throughout the spring semester. 
I think the transition from the runway to the after party was so smooth because of the similar elements in both rooms. The cream canopy overlay was similar in color and draping style to the table cloth that covered the tables in the cafeteria. Bringing in outside floral elements and moss in for both the end of the runway and the unicorn kept the consistency of the theme throughout. Also, the décor of both the runway and the cafeteria fit the idea of “Ethereal”. Overall, I think the Ethereal, the 33rd Annual Fashion Show was a great success. The cohesive plan that started in the forum and ended in the Cafeteria really was a transformation into a new world. The work between all of the students who contributed in the production of the show did an amazing job.
Author: natb33
We’ve Got Mail!
StandardLast Friday, the fashion students here at GCC got the first glimpse of Buffalo David Bitton’s spring 2014 line. We actually received an entire box filled with current men’s and women’s clothing that will be featured in GCC’s 33rd Annual Fashion Show, “Ethereal”. How is all of this possible? Last year, the 32nd fashion show, “Fashion Forward” as able to feature Buffalo David Bitton clothing after visiting their showroom in NYC. We had such a great experience with the Buffalo David Bitton team; we just had to go back! Last October, the fashion students took another trip to the city and met with Buffalo David’s Public Relations – Diane Alexander. We had another fantastic meeting with her; and again have the opportunity to showcase their clothing line in our show. 
As the scene coordinators of the Buffalo David Bitton scene – Shelby Wallenhorst and Ashley Husted – pulled out each garment one by one, the class’s excitement intensified. By the time they got to the bottom of the box, everyone had chosen their favorite garment. From men’s and women’s jeans to dresses and leather jackets, there was something for everyone! Buffalo David Bitton sent around $2,300 worth of garments for our show, and we couldn’t be more excited. 
Along with the amazing clothing from the city, we’ll also have beautiful bridal dresses donated straight from M.A. Carr Bridal. Over $17,000 worth of wedding gowns came from the bridal salon, located in Orchard Park, New York. As soon as it was announced that the dresses had arrived, the fashion students rushed to the storage room to explore the gowns. As the fashion design students looked over the dresses, you could see the ideas flowing on how they wanted to re-purpose the garments, and create ethereal looks.
Since M.A. Carr Bridal generously donated the wedding gowns, the design students have the opportunity to choose any dress of their choice to redesign however they choose. Along with the Buffalo David clothing, M.A. Carr Bridal donated wedding gowns to the fashion show last year as well. 
Without the considerate donation from Mary Anne at M.A. Carr Bridal, and the use of the clothing from Buffalo David Bitton, our show wouldn’t be possible. From the amazing relationships built with these and other companies, our annual fashion show has surpassed others in the area, making it the largest fashion show in Western New York. 
To see more of these and other scenes, be sure to attend Ethereal on April 26th at 3pm and 7pm. Be enchanted by the beautiful fashion and heavenly ambience. You won’t want to miss this!
We’ve Got Mail
Standard
Last Friday, the fashion students here at GCC got the first glimpse of Buffalo David Bitton’s spring 2014 line. We actually received an entire box filled with men’s and women’s clothing that will be featured in GCC’s 33rd annual fashion show, “Ethereal”. How is all of this possible? Last year, the 32nd fashion show, “Fashion Forward” featured Buffalo David Bitton clothing after visiting their showroom in NYC. We had such a great experience with the Buffalo David Bitton team; we just had to go back! Last October, the fashion students took another trip to the city and met with Buffalo David’s Public Relations Director – Diane Alexander. We had another fantastic meeting with her; and again have the opportunity to showcase their clothing line in our show.
As the scene coordinators of the Buffalo David Bitton scene pulled out each garment one by one, the class’s excitement intensified. By the time Shelby and Ashley – the scene coordinators – got to the bottom of the box, everyone had their favorite garment. From men’s and women’s jeans to dresses and jackets, there was something for everyone! Buffalo David sent around $2,300 worth of garments for the show, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Along with the amazing clothing from the city, we’ll also have bridal dresses donated from M.A. Carr Bridal. Over $17,000 worth of bridal dresses came from the bridal salon, located in Orchard Park, NY. As soon as it was announced that the dresses had arrived, the fashion students rushed to the storage room to explore the gowns. As the fashion design students looked over the dresses, you could see the ideas flowing on how to re-purpose the dresses and create ethereal looks. Since M.A. Carr Bridal generously donated the wedding gowns, the design students have the opportunity to choose any dress of their choice to redesign, however they choose. Along with the Buffalo David Bitton clothing, M. A. Carr Bridal donated wedding gowns to the fashion show last year as well.
Without the considerate donation from Mary Anne at M.A. Carr Bridal, and the use of the clothing from Buffalo David Bitton, our show wouldn’t be possible. From the amazing relationships built with these and other companies, our annual fashion show has surpassed others in the area, making it the largest fashion show in Western New York.
To see more of these and other scenes, be sure to attend Ethereal on April 26th at 3pm and 7pm. You won’t want to miss this!
Revival
StandardImagine having an image of a high fashion garment in your mind, and seeing that same creation walking down the runway in Western New York’s largest fashion show. With Genesee Community College’s fashion programs, this dream is my reality. Since this is my sophomore year in the fashion design program, I have the ability to create a complete look, from sketchpad to runway.
This year, the 33rd Annual Fashion Show is entitled “Ethereal”; meaning too perfect to be in this world. Think heavenly gates meets the secret garden. For my scene, I wanted to keep with the theme of a mysterious garden, but also keep it ready-to-wear. With the help of beautiful models, I will be taking used clothes from Goodwill, Salvation Army, and even my own closet and giving them a new life.With my own twist added to the torn apart garments, I will be creating my own Spring line for my scene: Revival.
The scene will begin with ready-to-wear. More traditional clothes but with a combination of styles and patterns. Along with conventional materials, there will also be some uncommon additions to the clothing. As each model enters and exits the runway, the complete look will intensify – becoming more divine.
Working up to the final models, the overall scene will be fully ethereal. Hair and makeup will reflect the style and fabric of the garments to create brand new look.
Want to experience these one-of-a-kind fashions? Come toGenesee Community College, Saturday April, 26th 2014 at 3pm or 7pm. Whether you’re a high school student, grandparent, freshman, or senior, male or female, there is something for everyone. Remember, this is one day only. Get ready for Ethereal.
Show and Tell
StandardRecently, the fashion students have begun a new and exciting class: Display and Visual Merchandising. Only a few classes into the course and the students have already created one of four displays. There are four teams (each with four or five members) who contribute their ideas and creativity to the display. The great thing about this class is the freedom that Professor Ehrart gives all of us. The only direction we are given is which display we will be using; whether it’s a full window display, shadow box, display case, or rolling rack. It’s up to us to use any and all ideas to create a theme and send a message to our viewer about the merchandise or business. Creating an interesting display that makes your eye wander around the entire space, while keeping with a theme and having a clear focal point was key in this task. 
What do you think?
As a class, we walked to all displays and evaluated them on focal points, theme, message and use of props. Each team had the opportunity to show their display and tell the viewers their inspiration for it. We determined what we liked and some changes we would make to each display. Overall, the class did a great job with the first displays of the course. We agreed that this was one of the most fun and challenging classes in the program. What other class gives you the freedom to create any display your creativity allows?
New Year, New Job, New View
As I begin my second year of the Fashion Design program at GCC, I also began a new job. As required by the Fashion program, each student needs experience working in the area of fashion, either over the summer or throughout the school year. For me, my recent new job was something completely new to me: men’s wear.
My job experience throughout this school year will be at Charles Men’s Shop. It is located at 200 E Main Street right in Batavia. While at the Men’s Shop, I will be setting the window displays. Showing the all of the amazing merchandise the store has to offer, while creating a theme and telling a story, keeping in mind the latest trends for fall was a challenge at first. I haven’t taken the Visual Display class with Ms. Ehrhart (the fashion design professor at GCC) because it begins in October, so trying to accomplish that goal made my first few window attempts difficult. I had a hard time finding inspiration and translating it through men’s wear. Until that time, I had only acquired experience with women’s retail. I had received some advice from the Men’s Shop’s helpful staff, Kristen, Don, and Dave. I also asked both of my professors, Mr. Dudkowski (the fashion merchandising professor at GCC) and Ms. Ehrhart for some advice. I’m very glad i decided to ask for some much-needed tips. After getting a better understanding of the window displays and finding my inspiration, I created a window that i was truly proud of. My vision for the window was the New York City pop up sales, since I, along with all other fashion students, will be attending a field trip to the Big Apple next month. Don Brown (Charles Men’s Shop VP) was recently showing me some pictures from the past trips to the city. He told me of the pop up retail stores that would be selling men’s wear, which made me think of trunk shows. I combined the two ideas with my inspiration of the city and created my window.
Business Wear
I really have enjoyed my time so far at the Men’s Shop. If i hadn’t attended GCC I wouldn’t receive an opportunity like this, nor would I have the always available professors ready to guide me with expert advice. Getting hands on training from such an accomplished and well-known store is great experience. Just as Don Brown had said, along with having fun, learning is the most important part of working at the Men’s Shop. After I have had more experience completing some windows and in-store displays, I could move on to learning new sewing techniques along with more planning and customer service skills.
As I look at window displays, men’s magazines and online articles, I see more now than I would have before this job. I wonder about what the message is that they are sending, what story they are telling, why they made certain choices. This ongoing experience will always make me think more about the way a display is shown than I would have ever thought. There is always room to grow and enhance skills with GCC and job opportunities.
Come down to Charles Men’s Shop and join me on the Wine Walk, October 5, 2013!
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