Threads Fashion Show producers reorganize constitution for ‘bigger, better show’

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Producers of Threads Fashion Show agreed attendees will be in for a bigger and better show this year.

By making the Threads constitution read from about three pages in previous years to 17 this year, co-producers and seniors Jason Gagnon of Mount Pleasant and Laura Czupinski of Plymouth are defining leadership opportunities for members.

“We really wanted to make it more organized and narrowed in, so we created seven new coordinator positions,” Czupinski said.

Gagnon said the AMD 357: Fashion Production and Promotion course is dedicated to producing the Threads show, which will be held April 14 in the Events Center.

Any student who wanted a coordinator position for the show had to be in that class in the fall, he said.

With 40 designers this year, the highest number yet, Gagnon said the show is getting bigger, making it the second or third largest student event on campus.

“The show in general is expensive in itself,” Gagnon said of raising ticket prices this year. “It costs $14,000 to $15,000 to put on the show.”

Numerous changes have been made because the producers wanted their peers to share the leadership they have when it comes to running the show.

This year’s new regulations include an adjustment in the allotted number of designs, making two the minimum amount of looks for a collection and eight the maximum, Gagnon said.

In the past, designers could alter patterns to create their designs, he said. A new rule is outlined for this year.

As a sophomore, designers can use altered patterns. But as a junior, only half of the designs can come from altering and the other half has to be original. As for seniors, their whole collection must come from their own designs.

“Our big thing was about reinforcing learning,” Gagnon said. “Reinforcing what you learned, so when you graduate, you’ve practiced and practiced and practiced.”

Czupinski said VIP guests will enjoy more of an experience this year.

“We’re going to have a VIP pre-party and to justify the price raise, they’re going to be a little more catered to,” she said.

VIP attendees will receive food, beverages and a sneak peek into the exhibition and designer video before other guests can.

Fashion Week Coordinator Alexandra Mauro said they want everyone to know about the week leading up to Threads.

 “We want to do a complete campus takeover with Threads fashion week,” the Troy junior said. “It’s really important that fashion week is broadcasted and advertised so well, because it is a direct reflection of what Threads will be.”

She said the week will include events including socials, fundraisers and speakers.

“We’re prepared to take over Central and have all of campus talking,” Mauro said.

Now with a modeling coordinator also in place, Gagnon said they’re trying to bump up the quality of modeling.

“If the models walk and feel great, then the clothes are going to look great,” he said.

Professor mentoring will also contribute to the quality look of designs, Gagnon said.

“In the past, designers could just go and make their collection and not ask for any help,” he explained. “Then you have the craziest constructed garments on the runway and (you’re) like, ‘What is that thing’’’?

He said now it is mandatory for designers to meet with professors at least three times for constructive criticism.

Threads advisor Carol Beard said having students check in with faculty will make for better quality designs.

Beard, who has advised Michigan State University’s fashion show for the past 10 years, is new to Threads this year.

“I’m really impressed with what Central has,” she said. “You don’t get students who are as creative and organized as they are everyday of the week.”

Gagnon and Czupinski said they made these changes so future shows can also grow.

“In the past, (producers) kind of just pushed it along and never thought about advancing it and making it more,” Gagnon said. “Now it’s like, ‘Here is our fashion show, it’s going to be badass.’”