Runway glamour at Radford University
Nancy Artis '73 emceed the 2015 Spring Fashion Fete, held March 28 in Bondurant Auditorium.
Radford University celebrated another night of glamour at the 2015 Spring Fashion Fête, the annual showcase of work by Department of Design fashion students.
As always, the Fête brought the designs and atmosphere of a professional runway to Bondurant Auditorium. Nancy Artis '73, a former Board of Visitors member, was once again on hand to help emcee the event.
The tradition of showcasing senior fashion designers and juried pieces by fashion design majors continued at the show. Senior designers were Teryca Edwards, Savannah Fender, Courtney Francis, Thomy Owens, Ashley Rosenbaum, Hannah Waldron, Ashleigh Wells and Sammy White.
Model Clarissa Pyles took to the runway in a formal dress that would win Design of the Year.
Also during the show, Artis sported a custom outfit designed by EmilyAnne Charest, winner of the second annual Nancy Artis Junior Fashion Design Scholarship Competition.
A juried portion of the Fête centered on selected pieces from sophomore to senior fashion design majors, whose identities remained anonymous to the selection committee. The jury, comprised of alumni from the fashion design program at RU, bestowed the following awards:
- Ashleigh Wells for Designer of the Year, Design of the Year, Semi-formal Wear and Active Sportswear.
- Sammy White for Best Senior Collection.
- Breege Addo-Collins for Formal Wear and Career Wear.
- Savannah Fender for Day Wear.
- Teryca Edwards for Resort Wear.
Senior collections were on display at the Féte. Savannah Fender's "Beastie" collection was inspired by William Golding's "Lord of the Flies."
"The Department of Design has shaped me into the person I am today," said Ashleigh Wells after her big night. "I would not have been able to achieve any of this without the knowledge they taught me."
The Fashion Fête coordination is a collaborative effort between fashion design and merchandising students. Faculty members Farrell Doss, Tammy Robinson, John Jacob and Kathy Mitchell provided guidance and instruction for student organizers.
Design Chair Holly Cline offered closing remarks at the event.
"These students come in without a portfolio," she said, reminding the audience of student journeys from learning to sew to debuting collections. "So it’s pretty darn amazing what they’re doing up here with four years of really, really hard work."