Entertainment, fashion meet on STRUT. catwalk

More than a thousand people witnessed the VCU fashion phenomenon known as STRUT. The first, but sure to be annual, fashion show took place Saturday evening at the Siegel Center.

Hosted by Melyssa Ford of “BET Style,” STRUT. offered an evening of originality, variety and entertainment, as well as some hot fashions.

The only words Kelli Lemon, assistant director for Programs and Events, uttered just minutes before the show were: “This is crazy, and I hope everyone enjoys the show.”

Cast members backstage felt anticipation and excitement. As the lights went down, they released a shout of enthusiasm.

The video screen behind the catwalk gave audience members a closer looks at the fashions and entertainment.

STRUT. showcased the work of VCU student designer Rachael Nicholson and VCU student Jerrod Lacks, Deidre Simon, Jreamn, Sheron Phillipe and IAMHOLOGRAM by Subodh also showed their lines.

STRUT. was more than just a fashion show. With help from a K-9 friend in the first scene, “Need-Denim?,” a model confidently paraded down the runway as cameras flashed.

Each scene presented the clothes in a different way. In the “Somewhere on the Safari” scene, models linked arm to shoulder and waltzed down the runway to a dramatic drumbeat, keeping the audience’s attention.

DJ Lonnie Battle integrated music at the introduction into each new scene, and made sure the bass was bumping when Urban Eyez Dance Company performed.

Different scenes, ranging from “Somewhere on a Safari” to “Bright Lights & White Nights” delivered a solid, professional performance by student models and the show’s producers.

Many of the audience members were unaware that STRUT. was a product of students and not professionals. Everything from hair and makeup, styling, promotion and advertising for the show was done primarily by VCU students.

Janice Bonner, president of Main Street Spa & Wellness Center Inc., had no idea the production was so student-oriented. She described the hard work and outcome of the event as “awesome.”

Tristen Wood and Paige Skinner, both VCU students, said they decided to see STRUT. for themselves because they thought it might be fun. Neither of the girls was disappointed.

“It’s well put together,” Skinner said.

Wood said after learning about the heavy involvement of the VCU students, “I’ve never been to one, but it seems real.”

Cassandra Carter and Tiara White attended STRUT because of their affiliation with Solstice, a store at Stony Point Fashion Mall. Solstice was one of many area stores featured on the catwalk.

“I look for originality in a show,” Carter said. “That’s most important, and I definitely saw that tonight.”

White said, “There was a mixture of entertainment and fashion.”

Male and female models strutted topless down the runway displaying fur coats. Three young men played African-inspired beats on buckets and with a cymbal introducing the “Everybody Does Love B.J.” scene, two nude females wearing thongs and painted-on colorful patterns tip-toed down the runway tossing flower petals.

Lemon said this was the first of many STRUT. fashion shows to come, and plans for STRUT. 2006 begin next week.

STRUT. is a fashion showcase to remember. The hard work, dedication, and compassion for fashion were evident in the production of the show. It seems the success of the first ever STRUT. fashion show should generate an even bigger crowd next year.