VCU’s annual Spring Fest kicks off Saturday with the first ever STRUT. fashion show.
Kelli Lemon, assistant director for Programs and Events, said the fashion showcase, principally created by VCU students, will be like no other.
“Our goal was to pick diversity that this school has, and showcase it,” said Lemon.
The featured styles will be observed on a diverse population of models.
Kacie Reid, director of the STRUT. Fashion Committee, explained that VCU needed another fashion show geared toward student experience and freedom. Students have been involved in every aspect of STRUT., including promotion, hair and make-up, photography and mass communication.
The show features 60 VCU student models, three guest models, five student designers and two local designers.
Plans for STRUT. have been in the making for about a year. Last April STRUT. was mentioned in a meeting and by September its committee was formed. In October an open calls were conducted for models and designers submitted their samples.
Diamond White, co-director and head of hair and make-up, said great planning, hard work, and helpful sponsorship have allowed STRUT. a massive budget. White said she anticipates a “very exciting show.”
Strut, by definition means to walk with pompous bearing; swagger or a pompous, self-important gait displayed in order to impress others. Defined by the fashion committee, STRUT., is a fashion show full of style, sophistication and attitude.
Though this is the first STRUT. fashion show, it will not be the last.
Lemon said the fashion show will be an annual event. There have already been plans for next year’s show, which is supposed to be an even bigger event that might include a performing artist, she said.
Rumors of several performance artists this year have been in the air, but Lemon said the committee decided last minute not to include one. A performance has the potential to kill the show and take away from the focal point of STRUT., the fashion, she said.
“Let’s make the show hot. This is a fashion show,” Lemon said about the decision not to include a performing artist.
“There’s going to be a lot of surprises,” Lemon said. “This is not going to be a typical show.”
Desire and commitment were the motivation of the show. Volunteers and students created the show and no one was paid or given a grade. The production will be a display of all their spare time and extracurricular activities.
Committee members agreed finding sponsors was the hardest part of the creation process.
Lemon said the committee started too late, but they are very appreciative of the support they received.