STRUT workshop offers tutelage for the hopeful runway model

Nicole Ekanem
Contributing Writer

Nick Bonadies
Spectrum Editor

In the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Commons Tuesday night, a crowd of VCU students assembled to learn the art and science of the fashion walk.

“Just remember, have fun,” said STRUT director Stefanie Thompson, standing onstage by a video projection of last year’s models in striking neon lights.  “It’s not a test.”

The participants in VCU STRUT’s 1^st Model Workshop attended in response to posters across campus reading “Get tips for walking the runway – No height size requirements.  Dress to impress.  Ladies bring heels!”

Attendees included members of a variety of majors and every different level of modeling experience: Chelsea Varley, freshman mass communications major, said that she and her friend Brianna Barnabas (freshman, undeclared) had never modeled before.

“I love fashion and just watnted to take a risk,” Varley said.  “It’s like, I’m in college.”  She and Barnabas had to purchase their own heels specifically to bring to the workshop, she said.

Conversely, Alex Robinson, a freshman in Fashion Merchandising, described a number of past modeling gigs, both in photography and in live shows.  “I really wanted to get involved in something VCU related,” he said.

STRUT’s model workshops – Tuesday’s being the first this year – invite “people of all shapes and sizes” to come get objective help and training on their modeling skills.  As in past years, participants in the workshop will eventually make up a substantial portion of the cast of this year’s STRUT next April.

Contrary to popular belief, STRUT “is not a fashion show,” according to director Thompson.  STRUT has been a “unique medley of fashion and entertainment” ever since its beginnings in 2005, Thompson said. “It is the perfect medium for a person who appreciates a designer’s ingenuity, but also just  loves going out and experiencing the unique, artful, and fun for themselves.”

Aside from the themed cotour, for example, last year’s STRUT showcased a Hip-hop group, ballerinas, hula-hoopers, and a DJ.

STRUT themes have ranged in past years from “Flight 408” to “Carnival” to “Alice and Wonderland.”  This year’s theme is still strictly under wraps – but set to be announced “within a month or so,” according to Thompson.

The next STRUT model workshop will take place on October 11^th in the Commonwealth Ballroom. Thompson emphasized that anyone can try out, VCU student or otherwise – last year, many alumni, and even high school students were a part of the show.  There will also be an interest meeting for designers on October 4^th, to which dedicated and interested prospective fashion designers are urged to attend.  Final auditions for the April show will be held in January.

Contact the STRUT committee at strut.fashionshow@gmail.com for more information, or visit them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/strutvcu) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/STRUTVCU.)