Fashion department combs applicants for juried show’s models
Model Call offers VCU students a chance to walk the runway
A line of hopefuls wait for their chance at fashion model stardom. The fashion department opened their doors to any interested applicants Wednesday night in preparation for their juried show this coming May.
Samantha McCartney
Contributing Writer
VCU Fashion School’s model call on Wednesday, Feb. 22 gave students of all majors a chance to enter the glamorous world of fashion – including undeclared freshman, Sara Grandfield.
“I have a secret love of fashion that I don’t share anywhere else,” Grandfield said. “Except maybe the internet.”
Grandfield said that despite her nerves at being compared to other girls, she was excited for her first “public” run in the fashion world.
Exercise science major Chaz Epps, conversely, is already a client with the Modelogic Wilhelmina modeling agency – a company well-known for their appearance on the popular MTV show “Scouted.”
“I (still) want to gain more exposure to expand my modeling career,” he said.
Representatives from Modelogic Wilhelmina were in attendance at the open call to scout for potential clients. However, for the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising’s upcoming student-run juried fashion show, it was up to the event’s student organizers Wednesday night to select the models they needed.
VCU’s fashion design and merchandising department is gearing up for this year’s show, titled “RAW,” which is meant to emphasize the return to the basics of fashion. The show will take place May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Organizers hope to have plus-size and swimwear sections this year for a more diverse garment selection, as well as more segments to showcase a greater amount of student designs.
In addition to fashion students, graphic design majors at VCU took on the responsibility of designing all of the artwork for the anticipated show.
Local fashion critics will judge the competition, as well renowned fashion critics from New York City. Last year’s show featured judges from Wrangler Jeans, Isaac Mizrahi, Fashion Group International, Cotton Incorporated and Macy’s, among others.
Not only does the model call serve the purpose of finding models for the show, but it gives non-fashion students a chance to be a part of something that they normally wouldn’t get the chance to do.
The arrival and participation of well-known New York fashion insiders could also potentially benefit the designers and merchandising students in their future careers.
“RAW” director and senior fashion merchandising major Danielle Ashe said she was thrilled for the various stages leading up to the show.
“The show is a good way for students within the fashion merchandising major to get experience with planning events,” she said. “I’m really proud of what the department does and the garments that are created by our very own designers.”
For more information or to get involved, visit the VCU fashion design and merchandising department’s Tumblr, Facebook or Twitter pages.
