Providing a fashionable alternative to expensive designer clothing and unethical fast fashion, the designs created for this year’s annual Seattle University Fashion Show, “Ghosted,” will be on display at All Pilgrims Christian Church on May 18 starting at 9 p.m.
This runway show is fully designed and produced by the Fashion Club of Seattle U (FCSU) and they plan to sell some of their unique pieces after the show in a silent auction along with other pieces of handmade art created by members and friends.
What the audience members will not see on display is all of the behind the scenes work that has gone into putting on this event. FCSU has been at work for weeks preparing. From logistical needs, such as securing a venue, to the work of six designers crafting the looks that will be featured on the runway, members of the club have worked to be sure their show is a success.
Marc Gleckman, a junior in the fashion club, runs the production of the club’s events. When most people think about fashion shows, they are primarily focused on the models and clothes coming down the runway. For Gleckman, it’s a different story.
“There is so much more to fashion shows besides the clothes and the models,” Gleckman said.
He likes being on the production side of things, admitting that he’s not a very fashionable person himself. To produce this show, Gleckman works to create the music and help design sets. While the focus of the event is fashion, it takes a diverse team to execute an amazing show.
Jordan Chan, a communication major, is a junior in the fashion club and is head of communications on the FCSU executive team.
“In such a fast-paced environment we are often distracted by this immediacy, always looking on to the next upcoming thing, something bigger and better,” Chan said. “When we do this we often forget about the people and things we leave behind… [Ghosted] is the disappearing and bringing it back in kind of like a ghost form, it’s gone but it is still here.”
Shavon Cullinane oversees hair and makeup, making sure the show looks how she envisions it. Cullinane said all the clothes are sourced from the Goodwill outlet. The designers alter the items to recycle them into different looks. FCSU values sustainability and wants to explore how to create cool high fashion looks from thrift stores or things that are reusable rather than funding fast fashion.
The fast fashion industry relies on the inexpensive and rapid production of clothing following quickly moving trends. The decision to reuse clothes for this event explores a viable alternative. FCSU spent many hours finding the clothes, sewing and making sure the looks fit the theme of the show.
“Ghosted” will feature over 25 original pieces by six different designers. A portion of the proceeds will go to Dress For Success, an organization that provides professional clothing for women in need of professional attire for interviews and jobs.
After the show ends, there will be an art gallery put on by ArtSideOut and a bar for those ages 21 and over.
For more information about “Ghosted” and to RSVP, find the event posted by the Fashion Club of Seattle University.
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