Silver Needle Fashion Show : Laura Shell

Laura Shell beamed with happiness as her collection came down the runway at the 2 p.m. fashion show. Her collection, "Woman in the Gray Suit," depicted some modern takes on the styles most popular in the 1940's.  Laura debuted a black and gray lace ruche dress as her first garment, with all of the models wearing gloves.  

The gloves added a classic touch to her antique yet modern day collection.

Another look designed by Laura consisted of a tweed outerwear garment, shown on the model's arm below.  She also wore a gray dress with different black accent panels.  Keeping with Laura's inspiration, the model wore leather gloves to complete the ensemble.

Here below is the gray suit.  This garment sums up Laura's vision for her collection.  It features a plunging neckline, button detailing on the sleeves, and a back cutout, adding some flair.  

As her collection walked for the second and last time at the night show, Laura took to the runway as well, representing her senior collection.  The excitement and sense of accomplishment was prominent on Laura's face.  As her graduation nears, she is looking forward to bringing her talent wherever her career takes her.  

Silver Needle Fashion Show : Grace Buckley

Grace's collection for the Silver Needle Fashion Show was based off of her inspiration and design portfolio, Motorcycle Chanel.  Grace's three looks consist of classic pieces mixed with a bit of grunge attitude.  

Her first look, worn by model Alyssa DeMarco, featured a leather jacket, a loose fitting sheer black and white patterned top, and cropped black pants.  The shoes worn by the model bring out the edginess in her first design.  

Grace's second design fit perfectly to her model.  She created a cut out leather bustier-like top that features an exposed zipper in the back.  The pants are classic tweed, but Grace changed the whole aesthetic of the look by adding a leather and chain accent to the waist of the pants.

Her final look was a traditional LBD with a twist.  Grace covered the dress in loose threading that accentuates the model's figure as well as bringing movement and something unique to the look she's created.  

Last, but certainly not least, Grace was honored at the evening show for the work she did with Marykate and Ashley Olsen at a previous internship.  She also received an award for her work in design! Grace, always being humble, doesn't say too much about her experiences with the Olsens, other than, "It was definitely an eye-opening experience." 

Silver Needle Fashion Show : Eva Block

Model Laura Furlong is wearing Eva Block's sophomore design using the fair trade fabrics.  As one of my personal favorites, I believe this look is fashion forward and ahead of its time.  Eva's inspiration comes from what she sees around her, mainly focusing on nature.  Her spirit is tuned to the beauty of the natural world, and it is exhibited perfectly in her first complete look.  

As Laura walks the runway, Eva sat behind me, beaming with joy of her first complete look.  Eva will continue to take an out of the box approach to designing, as she hinted when talking to me about her plans for next semester.  But when I asked what specifically she had in mind, she replied with a twinkle in her eye, "You'll have to wait and see."  I expect to see great things from this young designer.  

Silver Needle Fashion Show : Forrest Simms

As a freshman and only one of two males in the fashion design program at Marist College, Forrest Simms also has the privilege to be an assistant to the head of the fashion department, Radley Cramer.  

His schedule was always jam packed, but he always seemed to have time to work on his menswear garment.  And it definitely paid off.

Although Forrest only had one design to make for this year, he put forth all of his effort into this one piece.  At the 8 p.m. show, he was awarded Best Freshman Design! Congratulations Forrest!  Above, model James Napoli proudly wears Forrest's winning piece.  

Here you can see the minute details of Forrest's design.  He uses pleating on the shoulders and wraps an innovative "scarf" around the neck, to be work in a variety of ways.  When I asked Forrest how he would sell this shirt in the real world, he responded with "professionalism."  "The shirt can be worn in a variety of ways, and its streamlined silhouette helps to accentuate the professionalism of the garment." 

The 25th Annual Silver Needle Fashion Show and Awards

The 25th Annual Jubilee Silver Needle Fashion Show was held on May 5, 2010 at the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Sara and I, press passes in hand, documented the highlights and subtleties that embodied the highly anticipated Jubilee Anniversary fashion show.

Here, senior fashion design majors anxiously wait to see the end result that is the product of five months worth of work.

Luckily enough, we gained backstage access and were able to witness the process of turning a group of young college women into supermodels.  Above, model and friend Katherine Bilsky is having her makeup touched up by the MAC makeup artists.  Below, a makeup artist works with another model to achieve the desired look.  

Once the models were finished with hair and makeup, they relocated to the dressing rooms to change into their garments.  At this point, Sara and I realized that we were part of something bigger, not just a college-run fashion show. 

Fair trade garment designed by sophomore Gabrielle Iorio 

Stylists and dressers, along with their designers, rushed to assemble the looks and make sure every pin, button, and buckle were in place.  Although I'm 5'7 and was wearing heels, models towered over me, walking about, getting into the lineup.  I realized this was what I had been waiting for all semester; the peak of all the work we have been doing throughout the semester.  Fashion designers, models, staff, and attendees could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air, and we were ready for it.  

The garments were displayed in order from freshman to senior, with a knitwear segment in the middle.  Above, established Silver Needle model AD Diaz struts down the runway with some major attitude and flair.  The crowd went wild.  Later, Katherine Bilsky showcases a senior's garment flawlessly and with class. 

During the knitwear segment, which is available for students to take as an elective, Senior Fashion Merchandising major Kate Zagami debuted her first piece in the Silver Needle.  Her garment is on trend and versatile, as I was able to try it on before the show! The model pulled off the garment effortlessly, pairing it with a comfortable pair of rust-colored shorts and wedges.  Congratulations to Kate and her merchandising team who were honored at the show for their work on their capping project!

Katherine Bilsky and Laura Furlong display garments that were part of Senior Madeline Sasso's winning collection.   Bilsky and Furlong have been modeling for the Silver Needle for many years now, and their experience in working the runway is apparent.  For more on our designers and to see their final looks in the Silver Needle, check back later today!

Inside Laura's Jubilee Critique

While most designers only had to worry about one critique this weekend, seniors had to anticipate two! Before their looks were numbered and scrutinized by the panel, senior designers had present their Silver Jubilee garments to the Fashion Program faculty. Laura's metallic jumpsuit is the perfect piece to celebrate 25 years of Fashion at Marist.

Eva's Runway Ready Weekend

Above: Eva makes final alterations to her dress, modeled by senior, Laura Furlong, the night before her critique. 

Having switched majors as a junior, this is Eva's first Runway Ready Weekend. Eva will have two pieces in the show, her freshman men's wear shirt as well as the Fair Trade cotton dress she hand died for her sophomore design class. Her sophomore dress was a much more intricate project, requiring many hours in the design lab with the "world's best TA," Grace Buckley! 

Above: Laura has modeled in the Silver Needle Fashion Show for several years and was actually selected to grace the cover of the 25th Annual Silver Needle Look Book.

The morning of Runway Ready the hallway typically teaming with science students was transformed into a fashion mecca, with the Fashion Show Production Team, models, designers, and dressers scurrying about in a chaotic yet almost choreographed manner. Models and designers lined the walls of Donnelly Hall, each waiting for their garment number to be called for their critique. 

Below: Eva chats with her model as she anxiously awaits her 8 a.m. critique. She entered the lecture hall confidently and exited with a smile as both garments received positive feedback from the panel. 

"I actually created my button down [men's wear shirt in the fall," Eva explained, "I was expecting them to be kind of hard on me but they said they could see how much I've grown in just a semester based on these two pieces which makes me really happy!"

Though freshman and sophomores do not create a collection for the show, Eva's garments were two completely separate assignments that she used to created two cohesive looks that will act as a basis for future design endeavors. Though the next two years will be difficult, Eva is excited for the challenge.

Grace's Runway Ready Weekend

Just days before Runway Ready Weekend, Grace spends a few hours in the design lab finishing the construction of her little black dress, one of six garments showcased in the Junior segment of the show. Grace's biker chic collection has come together well but she is still "super nervous" for her garments to be critiqued by Fashion Program faculty. Her collection consists of the black cocktail dress (above), the leather crop top and wool pants (below), as well as a chiffon top paired with black pants and a fierce foe crocodile trimmed biker jacket (macro shot far below).

Grace's critique took place later than expected on Saturday, as the Fashion Show Production class was running 'fashionably late' after a busy morning shift. Her Chanel inspired collection was well received by all professors on the panel. All six garments were well constructed and fit models almost perfectly. 

Grace's models, Jaclyn Vosburg, Alyssa DeMarco, and Jessica Arabia (from left right) pose for a quick photo after their garments were deemed 'runway ready' by the Fashion Program panel. Because the Silver Needle is a completely student produced event, the gorgeous models are Marist students as well. Juniors Jaclyn and Jessica are models for Laura Shell's collection as well so be sure to check back for future feature posts regarding these lovely ladies! 

Laura's Runway Ready Weekend

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Runway Ready Weekend, Laura tirelessly works to perfect the garments that are about to be critiqued by Fashion Program faculty. Thus far Laura has completed six looks, and will be expected to explain the inspiration and construction of each one in front of a panel of Fashion Program Faculty. The panel painstakingly examines each student's garments and offers constructive criticism and guidance to designers.

Laura's collection plays with different hues of grey as well as different fabrics which she manipulates into various garments that should be staples in any powerful woman's wardrobe. From high waisted trousers to jumpsuits, Laura sought to create pieces that were unique yet classic in inspiration.

Laura's Jubilee Jumpsuit will walk down the runway in the grey cotton fabric above, as well as in the metallic black material below. 

Runway Ready Weekend is an important time for seniors because it give them an opportunity to perfect their collection before their runway debut. Just as Communications majors submit "rough drafts" of final papers, design majors must have their semester's work reviewed to make sure everything has come together properly. Senior collections are part of design majors portfolios so it is important that seniors put forth their best efforts to impress prospective employers.

Runway Ready Weekend

Runway Ready is the all-encompassing weekend where all fashion designers, freshman through senior alike, come together to present their final designs to a panel of Marist's fashion professionals (including Radley Cramer, Director of the Fashion Department).  It occurs the weekend prior to the Silver Needle Fashion Show, with the 2011 show celebrating the Jubilee anniversary of the fashion department at Marist College!

Models, designers, staff, and students were dressed to impress and on their game at 8 a.m., coffees in hand. The academic building that houses the fashion department was transformed into a fashion lover's dream.  Designers buzzed about, adjusting their freshly completed work on the models who tower above many of them.  The side entryway to the building was now a set for a functional photo shoot, recording the models with their look number which will be used as the lineup for the show.

Racks of clothing, bright lights and camera flashes, along with bins of shoes and accessories surrounded me.  As I got acquainted with my surroundings and said hello to my designers, I quickly eased into the fabulous vibe I was getting from those around me.  And it was exciting!

Running into fellow friends, including model Ben Gove, sophomore designer Eva Block, and model/Chic Fox Andrew Ludington as they wait to enter the presentation room.  

Upon spotting Grace amongst the other designers, she quickly whipped out these bad-ass shoes that will accompany her Motorcycle Chanel themed Iconic collection.  (Don't worry more of Grace to come soon!)

A hurried moment where Laura Shell's outerwear garment is brought to life on her model.  

Finishing Touches

Twelve hours ago, Sara and I, armed with our Digital SLRs and official Silver Needle press passes, hurried to our seats amidst the crowd of fashionistas, men and women alike.  The hushed and excited voices of the Silver Needle Production team swirled around us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats."  

Twelve hours and nearly 800 pictures later, the two of us are tirelessly editing, assembling, and piecing together the best of The 25 Annual Silver Needle Fashion Show and Awards. 

Stay Tuned!

Before we do, here's a sneak peak of freshman designer Forrest Simms putting the finishing touches on his innovative and unique garment that was seen by all last night.

(And if you're really anxious to see some of the action from last night, check out The Poughkeepsie Journal's photo gallery and article covering the show!)