Collegiate Times

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It’s difficult to imagine high fashion being part of the southwest Virginia scene, but on Monday night the Peacock Hallway at the Hotel Roanoke was transformed into a runway.

Virginia Fashion Week christened Roanoke as the newest addition to a growing repertoire of Virginia cities. The event welcomed local residents, students, designers and fashionistas alike to take in a night of chic style as models strutted their stuff. Models donned designs from local stores and Project Runway contestant Johnathan Kayne. The show also featured a section for Virginia Tech student models and designs.

After an introduction from Chris Wilmer, a Charlottesville native on the Virginia Fashion Week board who is in charge of the event, the spotlights turned on and energetic dance music flooded the hallway.

The first section featured gowns from the local boutique Brides’ House and Formals, which Virginia pageant hopefuls and Miss Teen Virginia Liz Barker modeled. The dresses showed off some of this spring’s most enticing prom styles — bright, long dresses opulent with beading and glitter.

The sparkling dresses and prom up-do’s set a glamorous tone for the Tech student section. The designs showed off a range of talent from tie-dyed maxi dresses to gold leggings. Eight Tech students modeled each of the 17 featured student designs.

On the runway, the models juxtaposed the beaming pageant smiles with fierce attitude, adding a bold edge to each step. Off the runway, the girls were met with a necessary rush of urgent excitement between each garment change.

“It was crazy backstage,” said Brittany Michels, a sophomore apparel merchandising major, “trying to change into your next dress and find shoes to match and make sure everything was zipped and ready before walking out on the runway.”

She said she heard about the event on her department’s listserv and wanted to model in the show with a friend. Standing at 5 feet, 11inches, they both met modeling height requirements.

Tenley White, also a sophomore apparel merchandising major, added, “It was a good way for us to see another side of the industry.”

Of the garments, White said, “I was so impressed by all of the designs in the show. I wanted to take them home with me.”

Highlights of the students’ promenade included a deep V-neck dress with hand-braided detail, a neon cocktail dress with a rave feel, and a fitted pinstripe business suit complete with matching fedora.

An audibly impressed audience included a mix of Roanoke and Blacksburg residents, as well as Tech students, all applauding and commenting as the outfits were shown.

Eduardo Pinto, a senior mechanical engineering major, attended the event to support one of his friends who had two garments in the show.

“I thought they were all very attractive,” Pinto said. “It seems like the design students here put in a lot of time and effort.”

Wilmer, who organized the show, also recognized the hardworking students and creative potential of including a Tech section in the show. Impressed by the designs, he awarded LuAnn Gaskill, head of the department of apparel, housing and resource management, with a plaque honoring the Tech apparel program and offering an official spot for the school in Virginia Fashion Week starting in 2010.

Lauren Hill, a senior public relations major at James Madison University, heard about the event and came down with a few friends.

“I hadn’t heard of anything high fashion happening anywhere in this part of Virginia,” Hill said. “I thought this would be a fun night to see a fashion show in Roanoke and make some contacts in the industry.”

“They cut (JMU’s) fashion program a few years ago, so I was interested to see what the Virginia Tech fashion students had to offer,” she said.

Underfunding and lack of exposure is a common problem with many design-forward departments.

Gaskill was impressed by the participation and enthusiasm the students brought to the event.

“It was great to see numerous quality designs from our apparel students featured in the show in Roanoke,” she said.

Gaskill said she is hopeful the award will advance the future for her department.

“The opportunity for continued involvement with the Tech apparel program and Virginia Fashion Week events will offer future students a unique presence in a venue with statewide appeal,” Gaskill said