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It was a student showcase of concept, creativity and excellent execution. There were a plethora of organic forms using inorganic materials. The annual Design X Fashion Show, held inside Philadelphia University’s Downs Hall Auditorium, once again presented student work that truly thinks outside of the box.
“It seems that they really are taking things from the natural world and working them into their designs,” said Aria Lee, an Industrial Design sophomore at Phila. U who attended the event.
Lee, along her friends, was impressed by the use of materials and creation of accessories. Lee described the materials as “hard to work”.
“These designs seem based around a specific focus,” said student John Plenge. “This is more than I expected.”
The Design X show is the culmination of the “Fashion Design Problem Solving” class. The work featured in this show are from Juniors and Seniors. Students are given a very open and abstract starting point. To simulate the constrats experienced in the industry, students are limited in time, budget and materials. They are given three weeks to produce their pieces that must be made using little to no fabric and budget of $20 or less. For example, student Lauren Casale was given three words: “blue, feminine and rectangle”. She made a piece using over 300 paint swatches that one would find in Home Depot and Bristol paper. Other students took their inspiration from field trips to the aquarium in Camden and the Philadelphia Zoo or historical events such as Manson Murders. Materials included garbage bags, pipe cleaners, cardboard, shower curtains, zippers, newspapers and more. Some readers may recognize some items from an story on Phila. U. student designers who showcased their work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Halloween. Those same students are enrolled in this class and their work is a product of it.
“People have to really, really resourceful,” said event commentator Jay McCarroll, First Season winner of Project Runway and adjunct professor at Phila U who teaches the class. “It’s a really fun class.”
The show was produced by Fashion Industries Association (FIA), which is one of the largest co-curricular campus organizations for students interested in the fashion industry. Along with Design X, FIA also produce the highly-anticipated Annual Fashion Show. FIA members help in the assembling and processing of student garments. They also assist in the design of both shows including everything from themes and music to lights and runway design. FIA members work behind the scenes creating line ups, supervising hair and make-up, choreographing the models and keeping everything and everyone organized.
A total of 23 models, aided by 20 dressers, showcased the designs. Sheila Connelly, director of Philadelphia University’s fashion design program, praised the students and especially the models for their work.
“They often had to stand in freezing cold rooms during critiques wearing nothing but a bra and a garbage bag,” said Connelly.
