Flag High's student-produced fashion show gives participants hands-on experience while benefiting local causes

By HILLARY DAVIS

Photos by Jake Bacon
Arizona Daily Sun
March 13, 2009

PHOTO 1: A pair of models strut their stuff modeling clothes from I Do, I Do during a fashion show at Flagstaff High School Thursday night.

FLAGSTAFF - They know they look good. Flagstaff High School students strutted, mugged and cocked their hips this week as they ran through rehearsals for their upcoming charity fashion show, a popular class project that taps the aesthetic, business and communication skills of the school's design and merchandising students.

Now in its 13th year, the show is entirely student-produced and this year will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation and the Second Chance Center for Animals. The show opened on Thursday and repeats today with a matinee. Sophomore Cedrina Honyumptewa watched Wednesday's dress rehearsal from the green folding seats of the school auditorium, jotting down notes as her classmates worked diligently on details just hours away from their big debut.

"All our work made something good," she said proudly.

One girl coached the models on how to clap at the end of their segments, and a small group on the side of the stage taped together abstract cellophane backdrops that fit with the show's "techno" theme.

PHOTO 2: A model struts her stuff wearing a gown from I Do, I Do during a fashion show at Flagstaff High School Thursday night.

Cedrina, a member of the publicity committee, is not particularly introverted-- she said she enjoyed calling media outlets and others to drum up buzz on the show.

But as the models twirled and marched across the catwalk, she admitted that being in the spotlight is not for her.

"I'm too shy to model," she said.

The show is a culmination of months of preparations that the students took seriously. About 25 students in the design and merchandising class -- a business elective -- worked on all aspects of the show, from fundraising to acquiring clothing from local retailers. A few more students stepped in to volunteer with the set or modeling.

LATE NIGHTS, LONG HOURS

Teacher Diana Schweitzer said the show is an exercise in work ethic and professional development.

Students had to learn how to communicate with businesses and think on their feet when things didn't always go according to plan, such as models or emcees pulling out.

"A lot of them love fashion and so it uses that venue, but what I'm really looking for... is their work ethics, and how they pitch together and do teamwork, and if they follow through and they get stuff done as they're supposed to be doing," she said.

Elaina Rodriguez is one of the students that took initiative.

A Jill of all trades, the junior is the show's director, works on the set crew, and will model outfits she assembled herself. (Her favorite: a leopard-print miniskirt and yellow top paired with a red cardigan.)

Elaina labored after school on her set until about 8 some nights. She dreams of going to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and pursuing a career in set design or fashion show coordination.

Her next class project will involve sketching and marketing a clothing line-- probably incorporating the 1940s-retro or rockabilly looks that she favors.

Elaina said she has always liked expressing herself through clothes, which say "that I'm different, and I take risks."

About 25 models like Elaina will wear borrowed clothing from Rue 21, Basement Marketplace, Black Hound Galleries, Dillards and I Do I Do. The ensembles include casual wear, party dresses and formal styles for guys and girls, and most incorporate neon colors or other funky elements, such as colorful scarves with metallic accents or bright oversized sunglasses.

Students will also offer musical entertainment during intermissions, and young DJs will keep techno beats flowing as the models cover the balloon-crowded catwalk.

Prizes will also be raffled at the shows, although the grand prizes will be drawn later this month. Those tickets cost $3 each or two for $5, and can win you a print of a Grand Canyon landscape by local photographer David Edwards, a basket of candles from Armadillo Wax Works, or a large fine art vase from Crystal Magic. To purchase a ticket, call Diana Schweitzer at 773-8135.

Hillary Davis can be reached at hdavis@azdailysun.com or 556-2261.