From the sketch books to the runway, Salt Lake Community College Fashion Club presents Project Catwalk, an annual event which offers junior and high school students the opportunity to showcase their talent in fashion design. From workshops to guest speakers, to a 1960s theme inspired runway show, the SLCC fashion club has certainly outdone themselves, and the designs were top-notch.
“Everyone in this department is incredibly passionate about [fashion], and so it’s really fun sharing that with these students,” says Maria Skelton, Fashion Club advisor. “The other thing that is really great is, I am so amazed with what the [junior and high school] students turned out, literally, really phenomenal [work].”
This year’s Project Catwalk took place on Friday, April 25 at Library Square Campus. The event was filled with enthusiasm and joy. Each student designer was eager and anxious to show off their finished product.
“This was a neat group of designs,” says Cherylene Rosenvall, Fashion Club president. “I’ve been here for four years and each year it has gotten better and better, and this is one of the best.”
SLCC Fashion Club provided the chance for the junior and high school students to learn inside information from guest speakers on fashion design and merchandising. The speakers included Mary Reno, Eugene Tachinni, Chad Young and Alicia Richmond.
“Get an education in fashion,” says Alicia Richmond, guest speaker, professional wardrobe stylist and founder of Chic on a Shoestring. “The more you can immerse yourself in a fashion program, that much more ahead you are when you go into the industry or into the field.”
During the discussions amongst the students and guest speakers, the thing emphasized most is how to get the right kind of education, which is essential for the fashion industry.
“I think getting the foundation is a really important step,” says Chad Young, visual manager for Macy’s, and guest speaker. “You learn so much in school, especially in a creative atmosphere, such as this one [SLCC Fashion Institute].”
There could only be one first place winner of Fashion Catwalk 2014, and it was Kaylee Doyle from Payson High School. She designed a 60s themed dress. A simple, yet elegant white dress with a chic military jacket, established with creative straps and buttons and placed right over the dress, completed the outfit. A pattern of the England flag, embedded underneath the coat, made for a sort of Beatles reference.
“Oh yeah, I was nervous,” says Doyle. “Every time the model came out [in my design], my heart just sank a little bit. I hoped for the best and was prepared for the worst.”
The second place winner was Sydnee Church from Taylorsville High School and third place winner was Brecklyn Frame from Mont Harmon Junior High.
Local businesses such as A Fashionable Stitch and Tissu were great supporters for Project Catwalk, and of course, all of the volunteers, including fashion show models and photographers.
“We started [project catwalks] five years ago and it’s [been] growing every year,” says Mojdeh Sakaki, Fashion Institute and Interior Design director. “This would not have happened if we [did not] have amazing faculty. I mean the students are wonderful, all of our students I have [had] the privilege of knowing, but this would not [have] happen without the dedication and hard work of our faculty.”
Photography by James Nguyen
