Re-vamp fine Fanshawe fashion show

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November 25 was a night to remember. Held at the London Music Hall, the annual Re-vamp Fashion Show put on by second year fashion merchandising students was a night of great fashion and a good message.

This year, the focus of the show did a great job of somethings that are often forgotten in the world of fashion. The theme "True Colours" held an important message: look through the superficialities and negativities that can attack your self-image. Remember who you are, who you want to be, and try to always hold the utmost respect for others as well as yourself. Using fashion as a positive form of selfrepresentation is one of my favourite things to do, and the students who put on the Re-Vamp show saw an opportunity to speak to a large audience, and use their power to remind us all that individuality and expression is one of the most beautiful things in our world.

In collaboration with Goodwill, the show raises money for My Sister's Place, a women's shelter that is a part of WOTCH Community Mental Health Services and has been doing amazing things for the London community for some years now. The signature drink of the night "True Blue" helped raise money as well as ticket sales and the silent auction. A big congratulations goes out to all who helped put on the show because it was an immense success, and many thanks were given throughout the night to all of the teachers who made it all possible. Models from Anita Norris Modeling Agency stunned us on the runway and brought life to the garments with their energetic smiles. Habitat for Humanity also helped with the décor by donating doors to use as a backdrop on the stage; they were painted in a Mondrian style with the signature colours of the night: red, yellow, blue, black and white.

The show began with an interpretive dance done by three girls in second year merchandising. Once the music began, the room brightened with a parade of yellow garments. The clothes were designed and made by first year merchandising students, as well as some design students, and this yellow group incorporated many design elements into their work. Studs and jewels were seen as accents and gold appliqués were a favourite medium to work with. A '80s influence was seen with legwarmers, big skirts and crop tops. My favourite piece from this group were a pair of ruched yellow pants with a fishtail train that were very well constructed and stood out amongst other pieces.

The red group was possibly the best of the night. The audience was the loudest during this segment, and there was a clear use of design elements such as balance, repetition and gradients. An outfit with plaid and sequins caught my eye first, but it was the large bustleback pieces that the audience appreciated most. Crinoline and large trains, beading and feathering were popular, as well as lots of cutting and shredding of fabrics, layering and ruffles. The first place winner of the night was from the red group; a red gown with a large fabric lampshade for a hat, created by Derek Flamand and K.L. Denyluk. It just proved that on the runway, bigger is better.

The blue group worked with materials like crinoline and tulle, reusable items like cellophane and paint chips, rope and ribbon. A futuristic feel was present, and the third place winners came from this group: first year merchandising students Carlie Lammers, Lauren Neely and Amy Racine with their blue bodysuit, large shoulders made of puzzle pieces and a mysterious hood with a couture influence.

The final group of black and white had a classy lineup of outfits including silky textiles, structured jackets and shorts, hoop skirts and corsets and tight busts with large trains that created fabulous juxtaposition. The second place winners were from this group: my favourite garment of the night that was constructed by Silvana Lainez Miccolo, Liting Gao and Haley Hansford.

Overall the show was a success as usual, and the turnout was immense. I was very excited to see the support from the community and the school, and I was delighted to note that year after year the shows are only getting better and growing stronger. This is still just the beginning of a wonderful tradition.