Had the 2016 Trashion Fashion show not opened with a disclaimer of the designer’s unorthodox materials, deciphering the model’s garb from actual runway designs might have been difficult.
The annual show, which takes place in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, features student designs made of recycled materials, from plastic bags to bottle caps and everything in between. Unlike many other campus events, local high school students were welcome to participate, either designing or modeling their larger-than-life looks.
With only a plain, white backdrop serving as a pre-show visual, announcer Sean Conklin opened the show, introducing two middle school participants and the night’s judges. This year’s diverse judging panel included Justin Bui, a freshman biology major, Anne Mormile, artist in residence, and Sr. Suzanne Kush, O.S.F., the former director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern.
Following introductions, Conklin assumed his unofficial secondary role of comedian, exclaiming, “Who’s ready to get trashy?”
While Conklin, assistant curator of the Quick Center, kept his comedic demeanor throughout the night, there wasn’t anything comedic about the designers’ talent and models’ catwalk caliber. In fact, the group’s delivery was downright impressive.
As for the first portion of the show, featuring high school student designs and models, Lauren McQueen’s “Make Her Mine” and Molly Wolfgang’s “Newsflash,” modeled by the designers, were the closest competitors. Both highlighting recycled newspaper in their looks, McQueen’s took the form of a formal ball gown, and Wolfgang’s resembled a shorter, more casual rendition of the conservative couture.
Although both designers used newspaper in their creations, McQueen also used paper, cardboard, coffee filters, toilet paper, among other materials, and Wolfgang used plastic bags and plastic lace. McQueen snagged the award for “Top Model” in the high school category.
Other notable high schooler creations included Lacey Wilmot’s “Black Swan Remix,” consisting of a flashy CD-composed bodice and black umbrella skirt, and Rebecca Sisson’s “Bella Belle,” with sparkly embellishments accompanying flapper-style, garbage bag fringe.
As for the Bonaventure portion of the show, the main standout looks were Conklin’s “Goddess’ Rebirth,” modeled by Asia Williams, a sophomore psychology major, and “Sunshine,” designed by sophomore journalism and mass communication major Taylor Walker and sophomore psychology major Katherine Grout. The duo’s look was modeled by Haylei John, a sophomore international studies and Spanish major.
Conklin’s design was the most runway ready of the bunch, featuring an alternating gold and floral pattern atop a short, white dress. Williams, who won the “Green Goddess” award, also had a full set of wings attached to the back of the dress, fitting to the outfit’s title. The garment and wings, made mostly of broken blinds and plastic table cloth were arguably the night’s most put-together pieces, enhanced by Williams’s sassy, Naomi-Campbell-like walk on the runway.
Walker and Grout’s “Sunshine” look’s biggest competition was its model. John’s high kicks, twists and vibrant smile lit up the runway, almost making the outfit her sideshow.
John, who ended the night in a tie for “Top Model” in the Bonaventure category, provided some fresh comedy, standing out on a runway trademarked by more sultry, high-fashion pieces. In the end, Chernice Miller, a senior journalism and mass communication and theatre major, took home the “Top Model” title—clad in a caution tape vest, with a matching pair of pants.
The biggest shock of the night was a two-person walk with Walker and Tristan King, a senior strategic communications and digital media major, who modeled Urban Art Club-inspired attire.
The two, whose look resembled a blend of rave fashion and Nicki Minaj’s 2011 Video Music Awards get-up, shut down the lights for their segment, showing off neon accents and their equally vibrant personalities. With spray paint floating overhead, the two sure did leave their tag on the stage.
The 2016 Trashion Fashion show was full of impressive designs and chuckle-inducing jokes from Conklin. Together, these two dynamics made the production an undeniably successful event, one attendees will likely return to next time models’ heels hit the Quick Center’s stage.
mcgurllt14@bonaventure.edu
