Threads showcases original, unusual designs
Chelsea Striler didn’t expect to win any awards at Central Michigan University’s eighth annual spring fashion show.
The Marquette senior ended up winning three.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “They just kept calling my name.”
Striler was one of 31 students who displayed their talents Saturday night in Finch Fieldhouse during Threads 2006, an event presented by the Fashion Association of Merchandising and Design (FAMD).
This year’s theme was “Pure” since the event moved from Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium to Finch Fieldhouse for the first time.
“We wanted something simple,” said Emily Leslie, a Fennville senior who produced the show along with Grand Rapids senior Kimberly Dorr. “The change from Plachta to Finch was a new experience.”
Styles ranged from Dearborn Heights senior Sarah McCarthy’s retro chic dresses to Leslie senior Julie Yang’s assortment of bridal wear to Northville senior Derek Howell’s black and red “Black Widow” collection, which was inspired by women who kill their husbands for money.
Striler won “Outstanding Apparel Construction,” “Most Creative Use of Fabric or Non-Traditional Materials” and “Designer of the Year” for her “Metal Fetish” collection.
Inspired by metal music and materials, she featured two high-fashion metallic silver gowns and a distinct men’s vest.
“I wanted to do something completely out of the ordinary,” she said.
Robin Judy Smith, a hairstylist from Marquette, modeled one of Striler’s dresses and said she knew Striler would win.
“We’ve been friends since eighth grade and we always liked to play dress up,” Smith said. “She’s always been creative.”
Southfield junior Lauren Fouche won “Best of Show” for her modern take on traditional Chinese and Japanese styles.
“I’m very thankful; it was hard work,” she said. “It’s only the beginning. I know next year I have a lot more to do.”
The show began with a short video introducing the designers and their thoughts on the design process and what the show meant to them.
“Designing for the show means stress, excitement and success,” said Stephine Dougherty, a Willis senior who won “Best Use of Innovative Textile Technology” after using a different fabric in each of her three black dresses. “It’s a short preview of what’s to come in my design career.”
The designers, all FAMD members, begin preparing for the show in the beginning of the year.
“They have to plan and present a product, and they have to consider things like music, materials and color,” Leslie said. “It shows future employers that they are able to think and plan in stages.”
The event also featured an exhibition of the students’ designs an hour before the runway show.
“It was definitely a good experience,” Leslie said. “It went fabulous.”
